David Cunliffe

By Kate Chapman of NZPA

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - The Labour Party learnt a lesson about people in glass houses today when they tried to throw stones at the Government over the sale of state owned assets in Parliament.

Labour MP David Cunliffe asked Finance Minister Bill English whether he would rule out selling New Zealand Post and Television New Zealand.

Mr English said he stood by Prime Minister John Key's statement that the Government would not sell Kiwibank or its parent company New Zealand Post.

In relation to the remainder of state owned assets, Mr English said the Government stood by its election promise not to sell any state owned assets in its first term and would campaign on any changes in that position.

Mr Cunliffe then asked if Mr English stood by the TV3 poll which said 85 percent of people did not want Kiwibank sold and 80 percent of people did not want state owned assets sold.

Mr English said he agreed with some TV3 polls -- particularly the one on Sunday night which showed support for National rising at the expense of Labour.

"I find myself agreeing with some parts of the TV3 poll and disagreeing with others. The bit that I agree with is that Phil Goff's leadership ratings are going down."

Speaker Lockwood Smith told politicians to "have a deep breath and settle down".

"I thought to myself, I've got to be honest with the member as I listened to his question, I thought, here's a problem."