The Opportunity Party has revealed its "bottom lines" for any possible coalition negotiations following the election.
It comes after the party registered a 6% result in the latest 1News Verian poll, above the 5% threshold needed to enter parliament without an electorate seat. It was down from 8% at the previous poll.
Leader Qiulae Wong has said Opportunity is open to working with both National and Labour, meaning it could be kingmaker if the result is repeated in November.
The party could decide the next government after registering a 6% in the latest 1News Verian poll. (Source: 1News)
National's Christopher Luxon has previously ruled out working with Opportunity, while Labour's Chris Hipkins has expressed concern at its tax policy.
But neither of Opportunity's big flagship tax policies, a land value tax or universal basic income, was part of today's "bottom lines" announcement.
Instead, Wong said her priorities were to bring down costs through giving more power to the Commerce Commission, lobbying regulations and a cap on political donations, a cross-party 10-year health plan, the phasing out of bottom trawling, and a recommitment to climate goals were “non-negotiables” for the party.
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“These are the minimum commitments we will require from the next government in return for our support,” she said.
Opportunity's full policy suite would remain on the table for negotiation.
"We will push for more, but these bottom lines represent the minimum standard we expect to see."
Wong told reporters Opportunity had said from the start of the campaign that it did not expect tax reform to happen overnight.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appeared to rule out working with Opportunity, and said National didn't want to "do business" with anyone seeking to impose new taxes. (Source: Breakfast)
"These bottom lines represent the things that we think are achievable and realistic in the next three years, and that we think that both major parties can agree to," she said.
"I think it's unfair for a new party like us to come in and expect that to have sweeping reform overnight. We need broader support from the public and from other parties to make meaningful change like that stick."
Wong said she had always expected National's door would reopen if it needed Opportunity, and she believed all five bottom lines were workable for either big party.
She said the next government "must have a clear action plan" to bring down costs and bills for New Zealand households.
She said stronger powers and independence for the Commerce Commission would help tackle “excessive market power” in supermarkets and uncompetitive sectors.
National Party leader says: “When you want to spend more tax... borrow more, we ain't doing business with you”. (Source: 1News)
She also said the country needed an independent watchdog "with teeth" that had the power to investigate and intervene – including the power to force structural separation.
“Opportunity’s bottom line is that the next government actually does something about [costs] by giving the Commerce Commission the independence and tools it needs to take on excessive market power and bring prices down."
Wong told reporters: "This must be part of the solution to get our support in forming the next government."
The party is currently campaigning on reforms to lobbying and political donations – calling for a lobbying register, cool-off periods for departing politicians, a mandatory code of conduct, and a $30,000 donations cap.
“New Zealanders deserve to know who is trying to influence their government, and no one should be able to buy disproportionate political influence,” Wong said
“We will require real reform of lobbying and political donations.”
To develop a 10-year health plan, Opportunity wanted politicians from both sides to work alongside health professionals, with “clear commitments on funding, workforce and infrastructure”.
“Doctors, nurses and patients need certainty. A 10-year plan would give the health system a stable direction for its workforce, infrastructure and funding,” Wong said.
“To get our support, the next government will have to build a plan that can survive changes of government. Any future government that needs our support will have to stick to that plan.”
"Well, I'm just saying to you, they want to increase taxes," he told media. (Source: 1News)
She said the plan "must be a map, not just an aspirational destination".
Wong said the phase-out of bottom trawling would need to happen “immediately”.
“Bottom trawling is not compatible with the healthy oceans we want to leave to future generations.
“We will require the next government to begin the phase-out, working with industry, iwi and coastal communities to manage that transition fairly.”
For its climate plans, Opportunity wanted New Zealand to recommit to its Paris Agreement obligations and protect the Climate Change Commission's independence.
“New Zealand needs durable climate policy that survives changes of government, gives businesses certainty and helps us build a cleaner, more resilient and more prosperous economy.
“We will not support a government that walks away from our international obligations or undermines the independent Climate Change Commission.”
Labour, NZ First take swipe at Opportunity 'bottom lines'
Speaking in Auckland today, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said there were "certainly some things there that we could work with them on", but that did not mean he agreed with everything Opportunity was proposing.
"Everyone's getting a bit ahead of themselves here. There's 39 days to go. There's a lot of votes to be won and lost in that time," he said.
"My goal is to win as many of them as I possibly can. Then we can sit down and talk about those sorts of things."
NZ First leader Winston Peters was more scathing. In a social media post, he dismissed the demands and called Wong's party the "Opportunist Party".
"Nothing that any other party on the loopy left is currently campaigning on.
"They aren’t even standing by what has been their major policy platform of tax reform. Bizzare.
"The inexperience and political naivety of TOP is on full show - the sooner they are shutout of getting anywhere near running the country the better."
Asked about the post during her standup, Wong said it was "really sad" that politicians were "putting each other down rather than focusing on how we can move together forward as a country".
TVNZ has extensive coverage of the election campaign. (Source: TVNZ)
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