Smaller parties get in punches

The leaders of three small parties predictably gave MMP their support yesterday in the second of National Radio's leaders forum programmes.

Answering questions from a student audience, Winston Peters (New Zealand First), Richard Prebble (Act) and Peter Dunne (United Future) all said MMP was a better system than first-past-the post.

The points they made were:

Mr Peters: "From 1984 to 1990 Governments ran this country as they liked ... It was a disaster. MMP is a system of sharing power, although there are some parties that don't want to do that."

Mr Prebble: "Voters can now support what they really believe in. Small parties don't have to be part of the government to have influence." He did not think Labour would win 50 per cent of the vote on July 27.

Mr Dunne: "People voted for MMP because it represents diversity in Parliament. New Zealand needs a stable and sensible moderator and my party is ideal for that role.

Questioned on law and order:

Mr Prebble: "The idea that you can rehabilitate criminals by letting them out early is one of the most spectacular failures we've ever had - 33 per cent of them reoffend within six months. It's fairly difficult to re-offend when you're in jail."

Mr Dunne: "You can't get tough on crime without getting tough on the causes ... Intervention has to start from day one. We need a government that addresses both ... "

Mr Peters: "Politicians say how tough they're going to get on crime at every election. Agencies should share information - the police, welfare, education. New Zealand has primitive policies at present. [Prisoners] should be rehabilitated during the second half of their sentence."

Questioned about genetic engineering, all three said they favoured a very cautious approach, but did not agree with the Greens.

Questioned about immigration:

Mr Peters: "We're bringing in the Third World ... 93 per cent of people who came here in the year to April were Asian. I don't believe we can handle this ethnic mix in that proportion ... It's dangerous."

Mr Prebble: "Statistics show that Chinese New Zealanders are not on the dole, not on welfare, not filling up hospitals ... They create new jobs and enterprises."

Mr Dunne: "A well-managed policy helps economic growth."

How did they feel about being in Opposition for the next three years?

Mr Peters: "I think that on July 28 we [NZ First] will have a chance to negotiate whether we stay in Opposition or go into Government."

Mr Prebble: "I've seen parties in Opposition who have more influence than those in power ... The worst job is being a member of a bad Government."

Mr Dunne: "It's not about power, it's about representing a viewpoint and those who sent you to Parliament."

- NZPA

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