Leaders' debate: The worm turns on Brash and Turia

Prime Minister Helen Clark arrives for the debate. She got laughs at Don Brash's expense. Picture / Richard Robinson

The worm hit two newcomers to televised political debates - Don Brash and Tariana Turia - particularly hard on TV3 last night.

Before a live audience of more than 100 uncommitted voters at the Auckland Grammar School, eight party leaders got to put their pitch for votes.

It was originally going to be only six leaders, with United Future's Peter Dunne and the Progressives' Jim Anderton excluded, but a High Court ruling yesterday guaranteed them a slot.

The show, the first televised leaders' debate of the 2005 election campaign, featured the "worm" - an audience reaction gauge (now called the Reactor) - which was dumped by TVNZ for this election.

Chaired by John Campbell, the debate was conducted in good humour, unlike the bad-tempered displays that have characterised Parliament in the past few months.

Dr Brash, National's leader and one of two newcomers, looked as though he had started well when he talked about wasted education spending on things such as dodgy courses, even gaining a laugh or two from the audience.

But when tackled on asset sales, he stumbled badly and the worm turned.

"The National Party has said that we won't be selling assets in the next term at least," he said.

"The only major assets the Government has got are the power companies, and frankly when we get the regulatory framework correct for the power industry, we will not be selling them."

Prime Minister Helen Clark immediately jumped in, pointing out that National's state assets policy said they would look to sell Landcorp farms and bring private shareholding into Solid Energy.

To audience laughter, she said Dr Brash should read his policy and get on top of the detail. Dr Brash attempted to explain further, confirming the sale of a "small number of farms". The worm reacted badly.

Dr Brash continued: "I think of selling state assets as power companies, Television New Zealand, Kiwibank, all of which ... "

Mr Anderton, the architect of Kiwibank, interrupted loudly to more laughter.

Dr Brash said he would not sell any of those assets, but the damage had already been done, and the worm stayed negative when he confirmed National's policy was also to sell a minority stake in Solid Energy.

Mrs Turia, the Maori Party co-leader, got a poor reaction from the worm when she said the Treaty of Waitangi was the "basis of nationhood in this country".

Mr Dunne and Mr Anderton got a generally positive reception from the worm, as did Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons. Helen Clark also got a pretty good run.

NZ First leader Winston Peters was a little flat. Act leader Rodney Hide performed well, with the worm reacting especially well (including audience applause) when he accused the Labour Government of being too "bossy boots".