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Helen Clark and Don Brash have gone head-to-head in the first live televised debate between the two leaders in election 2005.
A live studio audience containing equal numbers of National and Labour Party supporters were vocal throughout the debate jeering and cheering as the party leaders tried to score political points
The debate was keenly anticipated as it followed the latest One News Colmar Brunton poll, which showed Helen Clark's Labour Party move eight points clear of Brash's National Party.
It also came off the back of the release of National's long-awaited tax policy, which would lift the thresholds at which the higher tax rates kick in.
The debate ran through all of the key policies including, tax, race relations, foreign affairs, immigration, education and health.
Tax was top of the agenda.
Brash said two thirds of voters would be better off under the National Party's tax cuts package. He said the tax cuts, which would cost almost $4 billion a year when fully implemented, are affordable, and not a single dime will be cut off the health, education or superannuation votes.
Clark said leaving the health or education budgets unchanged would result in cuts to services, as the demands in those areas continue to grow. She described Don Brash as a one-trick pony, with tax cuts the only policy he talks about.
The debate ran through all of the other key policies including, race relations, foreign affairs, immigration, education and health.
The debate then moved from tax to the treaty, which was once fertile ground for Brash in Orewa. He took his cue to cultivate it again
"I want to abolish those separate Maori wards, those separate Maori seats, the separate Maori representation on DHBs and PHOs," he said.
Clark countered saying abolishing the Maori seats would be dangerous for race relations.
The area of foreign affairs became heated when discussions on the nuclear free policy turned to the issue of cosying up to the United States.
Brash once again re-iterated he did not recall saying that under National the policy would be gone by lunchtime. He said it is an iconic piece of legislation that it is important that it should not change when the party in power changes and under National any change would be put to a referendum.
"It's important that if there is to be a change it should be ratified by a referendum and frankly we've got no plan for a referendum," Brash said.
Clark asked Brash to clear up confusion around his stance on the policy.
"I really don't know why Dr Brash brings up the issue of a referendum. He says he won't change it without a referendum, then he says 'I'm not planning a referendum,' then he says if there was a referendum I'd vote against the nuclear free ban if it was in New Zealand's interest, I'm confused," said Clark.
But he hit back criticising the Labour Party's inability to get a free trade deal with the United States, when he said Clark listed it as her top foreign affairs priority. He said the reason for the failure was because Clark went out of her way to insult US President George Bush.
Clark reacted saying her top foreign policy priority was seeing New Zealand contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world.
"That's why our country kept out of the war in Iraq, because we believe that was wrong, you (Brash) thought it was right, you would have had young Kiwi's dying in a cause that is totally unjust," Clark said.
The debate wrapped up with Clark and Brash discussing their own and each others leadership abilities.
In one of the more awkward moments of the debate each leader was asked to rate the other.
Clark kept quite neutral listing Brash's achievements. She said he had a very sound career.
"He rose to the top of his profession, he has been the governor of our Reserve Bank, he has held very responsible positions in the corporate community and I think those are fine characteristics," said Clark.
Brash was just as diplomatic. He said he thought Clark was intelligent with a commitment and vision for New Zealand, though it is a different one from the one he holds.
"I think
she has qualities which have made her a strong Prime Minister. Her
vision is different from mine, but I respect that
nevertheless."
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