Sharechat Logo

PM English names Sept. 23 for 2017 general election

Wednesday 1st February 2017

Text too small?

Prime Minister Bill English says the general election will be held on Sept. 23 this year, confirming speculation it was the most likely date.

English continued the practice established by predecessor John Key, who believed the public favoured certainty over the election date rather than the tradition of the ruling party keeping the date close to its chest to keep opposition parties guessing.

On confidence and supply, he said his preference is to work with current partners - Act, United Future and the Maori Party. He ruled out working with the opposition Labour and Green parties, which he said were "increasingly far left, inward looking" and said he would be prepared to have discussions with the Winston Peters-led New Zealand First, although he called them an "unlikely partner". 

On New Zealand First, English said "it is unlikely because we are a party that believes an outward looking open New Zealand, NZ First are inward looking and believe in a closed New Zealand, there's some big differences."

The government's intention is for the House to rise on Aug. 17. 

English said the economy will always be "the central issue" of the election. 

BusinessDesk.co.nz



  General Finance Advertising    

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:
Your name:
Your email:
Not displayed to the public
Comment:
Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved.

Related News:

NZME Takeovers Panel determination
MNW - Commerce Commission clears the Contact Energy acquisition
May 7th Morning Report
General Capital Appoints New CFO
SUM - Summerset Considers Retail Bond Offer
SKC - Updated FY25 Full Year Earnings Guidance
Chorus considers Capital Notes offer
May 5th Morning Report
KPG - Kiwi Property announces GM Corporate Services
Mainfreight Limited - Trading Conditions Update 2 May 2025