Manners to the fore in debate 

Helen Clark and John Key have faced off in a good-natured debate three days out from New Zealand's general election, discussing issues from the economy to crime and even whether they believe in God, have ever smoked or broken the law.

The ONE News Election 08 Leaders Debate: The Decider was the last debate between Labour leader Helen Clark and National leader John Key before Saturday's election.

Viewers submitted their own video questions online ahead of the 90-minute debate moderated by Mark Sainsbury. Political journalists TVNZ's Guyon Espiner and Shane Taurima and Dominion Post political editor Tracy Watkins asked questions live.

The two leaders didn't shout and talk over each other, as they did in the first debate three weeks earlier.

Change in the USA

Both leaders were quick to congratulate US President-elect Barack Obama, just hours after his victory over Republican John McCain.

Clark said Labour is looking forward to working with Obama who brings a different approach to international relations. Key said National is looking to advance the strong relationship with the United States and top of the list is a Free Trade Agreement with the US.

Common policies?

Asked what they could agree on, the two leaders said there are still a significant number of voters who haven't made up their mind how they will vote and super fast broadband is critical for economic growth.

Key also said National and Labour are "locked at the hip" on an independent foreign policy.

But National and Labour won't be forming a grand coalition.

Key said while the two parties have some similarities, there are extraordinary differences.

Clark said she's not prepared to countenance cutting public spending, or privatisation of prisons or parts of the ACC and Labour will always put jobs and publics services like health and education first.

Key said we need a high growth economy that protects jobs and he believes passionately in personal freedom, less government and less red tape.

Jobs for Kiwis

On the issue of jobs being lost offshore and to migrant workers, Clark said Labour puts Kiwis first for jobs. At any sign of rising unemployment, she said, her government will cut back on the overseas labour New Zealand has had to recruit because of a lack of skilled workers.

But Key said New Zealand has had to bring people in because so many have left under Helen Clark's watch. He said New Zealand is in danger of becoming a giant education facility for Australia.  He said we need to grow the economy through basics such as tax cuts, reining in bureaucracy and reforming the Resource Management Act so investment can take place.

KiwiRail

Key said the government paid too much to buy back KiwiRail from Australia's Toll Holdings, at the best part of $750 million. Clark responded that the government paid a premium for it and if it hadn't we would have been subsidising the Australians to the hilt.

She said the government has big plans to invest in KiwiRail, aiming to modernise the rail system across New Zealand, especially freight services.

She warned there isn't an open cheque book but said universal student allowances are one significant commitment.  Labour is committed to education and training while keeping money back to invest in jobs, Clark said.

Key said National supports an integrated structure for freight through coastal shipping, rail and road. He said KiwiRail was a bad deal but now the government owns it, a National-led government would not sell it but invest in it.

Emissions

A video questioner, making his voice sound a like a sheep bleating, wanted to know why New Zealand farm animals are the only ones included in an Emissions Trading Scheme.

Clark said Labour is ensuring New Zealand meets its international commitments through the emissions scheme. She said she wants New Zealand to be part of the solution to the "horrible problem of climate change" and the country will be more prosperous if we are truly clean and green.
 
Key says he's committed to finding emissions solutions for farmers and says "we shouldn't be absolutely crucifying our farmers. We're feeding the world".

Health

Asked how their parties will support parents of desperately ill children, Clark said: "We will keep doing a much as we can to make sure our public health system offers timely treatment, affordable primary care and that our standards are world class."

She said she has huge faith in education and health staff and "by world standards we do incredibly well".

Key said the health system needs redesigning with more on the front line and less on bureaucracy.  He said waiting lists and elective surgery are not working and he is not opposed to buying services from the private sector.

God?

"Do you believe in God?" Sainsbury asked.

Clark said she doesn't and is on record as saying she's an agnostic, which means nothing is proven. However, she said the principles of Christianity pretty much dictate how she lives.

Key said he's not a deeply religious person but also lives by Christian principles. He doesn't believe in life after death, he added.

Skeletons in the closet?

On a question about whether they would ban displays of tobacco in dairies, Clark said she would love to see them go, but Key said a ban would be hard to implement.

Clark said she had a puff of a cigarette as a teenager but Key said he has never smoked.

Had they ever broken the law?

Key admitted he once drove his car to university on his "carless day" during the oil crisis in the 1970s. The police didn't prosecute him because carless days were coming to an end, he said.

Clark said if it was true confessions time, she's probably had a couple of speeding tickets since getting her drivers licence at 18.

Crime

Clark advocated early intervention to pick up problems like personality disorders in young people and getting them to stay in education or training longer.

But she also said we have got to deal with gangs through tougher sentences and rewriting search and surveillance law. Labour would look at banning gangs in certain areas and Clark said it's time for a formal inquiry into organised gangs.

Key said National plans a Fresh Start programme for young offenders which would last about a year and include a residential component.

He said this would provide them with structure and discipline, along with literacy and numeracy education and drug and alcohol education.  The Youth Court could impose Fresh Start as a penalty.

Key also said there's  a need to crack down on drug distributors. He said National would give police, local government and courts greater powers to sentence gangs, including for belonging to one.

When the votes are counted

On post-election negotiations to form a government, Clark said all positions are up for debate after the election. Cards will be on the table and she will try to work it through, she said.

Key said National will be willing to look at options after the election, including those for the Maori Party.

In her closing statement, Clark said we're facing an international financial crisis and our small country can't be immune.

"We must keep our nerve with strong and proven leadership. Labour will put jobs and people first."

She said she is committed to a prosperous, confident New Zealand and urged voters "don't gamble with our future".

Key said National is focused on economic growth through wages and jobs. He urged New Zealanders to "choose the politics of aspiration not envy".

A ONE News Poll on Wednesday night asked - Which leader impressed you more during tonight's leader's debate?

 66% said Key, while 34% said Clark.