Labour beats National to release the opposition's health policy

STUFF.CO.NZ: The Government had taunted National again by releasing yet another of the party's confidential policy document – this time on health.

National leader John Key said this morning the party would release part of its health policy tomorrow, hoping to beat Labour to it.

But Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton beat him to the draw, releasing it this afternoon.

The National Party rushed out its housing and building policies yesterday as it tried to stem the embarrassing series of stage-managed releases by cabinet minister Trevor Mallard.

Mr Mallard had earlier "launched" four of National's policies – environment, conservation, biofuels and research, science and technology – and said they were leaked by an insider.

Today Mr Key said Mr Mallard probably had National's health policy and National would release part of it tomorrow.

"It's a great policy."

But in Parliament's question time, Mr Anderton said he had a report that a National government would continue to fund primary health care.

"This report is from the National Party's health policy which I just happen to have a copy of," Mr Anderton said.

The National Party would also propose tax breaks on health insurance premiums in the policy "it has yet to release, except to us."

After question time, Mr Anderton released the document titled National's Health Policy and stamped "Draft Confidential."

National says a batch of policies was left in a public place like a cafe and picked up by either someone in Labour or someone who is giving them to Labour.

Speaking on TV One this morning, Mr Key revealed the policies had been emailed to MPs.

"There's been a pile of data that was emailed to our caucus colleagues. Someone has obviously printed them out. . .

"I know it's ridiculous but it does happen. It's not a leak, it's an act of stupidity."

National's emails have been leaked, or stolen, before. Nicky Hager based his book The Hollow Men on them.

Mr Mallard said yesterday the leaks were "a gushing stream" and showed internal problems.

"There is clearly a simmering resentment with John Key who is muzzling the caucus, keeping them out of all decision making and keeping his agenda secret from his own MPs as well as the New Zealand public."

Mr Mallard said someone in National was unhappy, and if that person wasn't a caucus member, it was someone who had access to unreleased policy.