It has been clear for some time that all has not been well with the very limited agreement between the Nacts and Greens.
Claire Browning from Pundit (worth a daily look) has the exclusive on the breakdown in the relationship.
The Greens have walked away from part of their working arrangement with the government. Jeanette Fitzsimons revealed exclusively to Pundit a relationship breakdown in the energy efficiency and conservation portfolio.
Last month, here on Pundit, I speculated that all was not well between the Greens and the government. Former co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons did not wish to comment then, but now she’s speaking out.
Pundit has that post as well. It concludes:
With such a retrograde vision of energy efficiency for New Zealand, it is little wonder the National Government didn’t want to collaborate further with the Greens. I can only wonder why they sought to do so in the first place.
as a Nat voter in the last two elections, thank goodness for that. bye bye
I don’t know why but I never saw that coming
That’s pretty grim for the environment.
Jeanette says: I can only wonder why they sought to do so in the first place.
Um, PR? The Greens walked right into this. They be held partly responsible for the long period the government got away with pretending it was centrist.
Spud never saw that coming?
For which part of the environment Spud?
Balance deleted please be polite to Spud Trevor
A good Tui ad:
National and the Greens best buds?…… Yeah Right…
Well I’m comfortable with it. The Greens are not the only party that care about the environment – they were just clever/mad enough to take the Green name and run with it despite their red credentials.
Clint and Jabba- care to elaborate? Clint-”The Greens are not the only party that care about the environment” and Jabba-”thank goodness for that”. Genuine, open question.
For no particular reason I really thought the Greens / Nats relationship would last the three years. I believed the deal would give the greens some small influence over policies that would impact the environment, though not over the horrible idea to mine our beautiful national parks!
hi mac1 .. I must be careful here.
I have an issue with the Green Party (not Green issues). I look at their MP’s and I’m not inspired even though I have NO doubt, their hearts are pure on what they stand for.
Rightly or wrongly, I believe their policies would destroy NZ’s prosperity as progress doesn’t seem to be in their vocabulary.
Imagine Mac1, if by some amazing set of circumstances, the Greens become the Govt on their own, what do you believe would happen to our economy based on their policies.
Now, I may get censored here .. before the last 3 elections, Labour stated publicly they wanted to join up in coalition with the Greens. They won the 1st 2 elections but dissed the Greens because they didn’t need them. They could have done what the Nats did and take them on board anyway .. but didn’t. Why not?
Trevor, can you assist us here?
@jabba Don’t think it is fair to say we dissed the Greens and did not work with them. Between 2002-05 and 2005-08 we had published cooperation agreements that operated. This delivered all kinds of things ranging from the NZ Transport Strategy to having Jeanette and Sue B as Government Spokespeople on Energy Efficiency and Buy Kiwi Made. Lots of people were disappointed we did not have a more formal agreement with the Greens 05-08 but the numbers just did not work for that.
UPDATE: link to 2002 agreement http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/Cabinet/circulars/co02/11.html and 2005 agreement http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/labour-led-government-co-operation-agreement-greens
Grant, I acknowledge what you said BUT for the Greens to be a player, they need real wins .. seat at the top table etc.
I’m not sure if either of the 2 main parties are that comfortable to do so.
I just remember the photo (and TV) ops that Helen and Jennette did having tea/coffee together in Ponsonby and then after the election, Jennette was shattered. maybe next time aye??
Jabba, thanks for the reply. I share your reservations to quite an extent though having also much in common with green concerns over peace issues, sustainability, for example, I found that I could sit comfortably with Labour on them.
I have concerns though over National’s positions on peace, energy and mining. I am interested to know what you see in National as favouring a green perspective as you say you don’t have problems with green issues but rather with Green politicians and their attitude towards progress/prosperity.
Mac1, sitting with them would be ok BUT having a member as a Minister would be the way to go. Look at Dunne (again), Hyde and the Maori Party Leaders. They have negotiated themselves into influential positions. They are still limited to all out power by the amount of $’s they get to play with but that is the case with all Ministers.
By pulling the pin, their only hope of influence, still not guaranteed, would be a Labour win in 2011.
I would expect all NZ’s have green/peace (no pun intended)views but the problem is ensuring the country doesn’t screw itself. I include Nick Smith here as well.
The Greens should have hung in there and fight for more influence especially in the areas that they have expertise. John Key has to watch Act and the Maori Parties as they seem to be getting a little out of control at the moment.