Opportunity 'would have walked away' from current coalition

9:26am
Opportunity Party Leader Qiulae Wong

Opportunity's leader Qiulae Wong has stressed that her party - which could well be kingmaker after the election - would not have propped up the current coalition or signed up to their agreements.

By Craig McCulloch of RNZ

Most recent polling gives the Opportunity Party the balance of power between the right and left blocs, though some put it precariously close to the 5% threshold.

National leader Christopher Luxon, however, has repeatedly ruled out doing any deal with Opportunity.

Appearing on Morning Report, Wong said Luxon seemed to be "playing a game" to shore up National's vote.

"He's backed himself into a corner on that. I don't think it's a wise move. It's an MMP environment. I think being flexible on who you can work with gives you more leverage to negotiate. But anyway, that's their position.

Opportunity remains kingmaker 18 days out from election day. (Source: 1News)

"We've said that we will still pick up the phone if they are the largest party on the night."

But Wong made clear that was no guarantee that they could necessarily form a government, drawing a distinction with the existing three-way coalition.

"I want to be clear: we are not here to prop up the current coalition government. If that coalition agreement was put in front of us, we would have walked away.

"We're not supporting things like a Treaty Principles bill in this next term of government. But if there are other things that we can work with parties on, whether that's tackling competition or investing in innovation, then we will work with them on that."

Asked about the party's proposal for a major tax overhaul, Wong said she remained focused on that, but was pragmatic that it might take "a bit longer" to progress in Parliament.

Potential powerbroker has 8% support while the two majors are locked at 28% each.  (Source: 1News)

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