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“There is a negotiation during which it is being discussed,” Shaw said.
The Greens call it negotiation, but the Prime Minister describes it as conversation.
“That’s a semantic distinction,” argued Shaw.
Ardern described the meeting as “very constructive” when Newshub caught up with her at Wellington airport.
The Prime Minister has indicated that she wants to govern with consensus.
“We have a really constructive working relationship there,” Shaw said. “Labor and the Green Party share a vision for the future of the country and the question is: how can we help achieve that vision?”
But the House glows red with 22 new MPs joining the Parliament from the Labor Party. He has 64 seats, an absolute majority, he does not need the Greens.
“Everybody knows what the numbers are,” Davidson said, when told the Greens had no influence.
The Greens have the option of turning down a deal: sit on the cross benches and avoid the minor party curse of being swallowed up by the main ruling partner.
“We are always aware of the risks, but they have always been true,” Shaw said. “Nothing has changed in 20 years … We have to look at the pros and cons of all the options we have on the table.”
ACT leader David Seymour had some advice for the Greens.
“If I were from the Green Party, I would resist the urge to be hugged to death by Labor, but it looks like they are going to fall into the trap, that’s their problem.”
Shaw smiled when asked if Labor was going to embrace the Greens to death.
“No, they will be nice.”
Seymour may be better at focusing on his own problems. Suddenly you have a group of 10 who didn’t necessarily think they would be there.
The new ACT caucus posed for a photo outside Parliament on Wednesday, where Newshub asked which of them they thought would be a MP.
“Everyone, absolutely,” Seymour said on his behalf.
And despite joining Seymour, who ran the End-of-Life Choice Act as a private members bill, they have no idea. When asked which of them had an idea for a membership bill, there was silence.
All the rookies are going through induction, a kind of parliamentary preparatory school. After graduation, and once the novelty wears off, high school comes back and everything is ready.
The prime minister has flown back to Auckland to reflect and take some time over Labor weekend.
Negotiations, or conversation, with the Greens will resume on Tuesday.
