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Peters' not giving much away in Parliament

Author
Felix Marwick,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 Mar 2015, 2:30PM
(Photo: NZ Herald)
(Photo: NZ Herald)

Peters' not giving much away in Parliament

Author
Felix Marwick,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 Mar 2015, 2:30PM

UPDATED 6:38PM: Winston Peters isn't giving much away when it comes to building closer ties with Labour.

Labour leader Andrew Little says he and Mr Peters have agreed to meet this week, to ensure opposition parties work well together, following the Northland by-election.

The New Zealand First leader says he can understand why people want to meet with him now, but he doesn't know much about it.

"When I get the direct communication, I'll let you know the answer. We don't negotiate or discuss things via the media."

Meanwhile the Government is continuing to give New Zealand First the cold shoulder when it comes to proposed changes to the Resource Management Act.

Following National's Northland by-election loss Environment Minister Nick Smith says it will now be harder, and take more time, for the Government to make RMA changes.

The Bill is now in a holding pattern as the government no longer has the numbers in Parliament to pass it following its loss of Northland in last weekend's by-election.

He is making it clear he would prefer to work with the Government's support parties, not New Zealand First.

"The first point of call has got to be the parties that are providing the Government with confidence and support. My previous experience with Winston, he's a pretty Machiavellian character to work with."

Labour says it could back parts of the Government's Resource Management Act reforms if it finds them palatable.

Labour MP Phil Twyford is asking the Government to put its housing affordability measures in its RMA reforms out in the open.

"We want to see what they are and if they stack up, we'll seriously look at supporting them."

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