Wellington, Dec 2 NZPA - Capping the number of state owned homes would hurt the economy and make a housing shortage worse, Green MP Sue Bradford said today.

Wellington, Oct 31 NZPA - National has unveiled a $42 million support package for laid off workers that is more tightly targeted than Labour's, but potentially gives more to those who receive it.

New Zealand's handling of the global economic crisis, and potential coalition partners after the election dominated TVNZ's minor parties election debate tonight. The leaders of the six minor parliamentary parties took the stage in their only televised debate of the campaign.

National's proposed welfare package for middle-income workers laid off during a global recession is "seriously flawed", the Green Party says.

The Green Party is making a push for sustainable business and manufacturing practices with a policy launch today which urges them to reap the benefits of being friendly to the environment.

Maori Party calls for the dole to be scrapped are "dangerous in the extreme", Green Party MP Sue Bradford says. Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia suggested on Tuesday at the party's economic policy launch the dole should be scrapped and replaced with government-subsidised jobs.

ACT and National candidates walked into the lion's den trying to defend their policies at the Council of Trade Unions employment relations forum in Wellington today.

Wellington, Sept 3 NZPA - More than 150 business people heard views from politicians of all persuasions at the Business NZ Election conference in Wellington today. Business NZ chief executive Phil O'Reilly said the most spirited debate was in the session on infrastructure and energy.