8 After intricate negotiations lasting about two weeks this led to the formation of a minority  Government  led  by  Rt  Hon  Helen  Clark  and  consisting  of  a  coalition arrangement  with  Progressive’s  only  MP  the  Hon  Jim  Anderton,  coupled  with what  were  called  by  the  Prime  Minister  “enhanced”  confidence  and  supply agreements with New Zealand First and United Future.  The enhanced factor was that  the  leaders  of  these  two  parties  were  allocated  ministerial  posts,  outside Cabinet.    The  Rt  Hon  Winston  Peters,  leader  of  New  Zealand  First,  became Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Minister  for  Racing,  and  Associate  Minister  for Senior  Citizens.    The  Hon  Peter  Dunne  became  Minister  for  Revenue  and Associate Minister of Health.  In each instance the detailed policy undertakings backing the Confidence and Supply Agreements were publicly released.  It seems clear  that  both  United  Future  and  New  Zealand  First  gave  their  assent  to  the arrangements on the basis that the Green Party would not secure any ministerial positions.  Thus, the Green party was left in the position that while it had some policy   agreements   with   the   Government   it   was   not   offering   such   positive assurances  but  rather  the  co-operation  agreement  it  signed  required  the  Greens “not to oppose confidence or  supply for this term of Parliament, and agrees to work with the government on agreed policy and budget  initiatives.”⁶ 9 These arrangements amount to negotiated political bargains, the terms of which are transparent.  The agreement with New Zealand First deserves some detailed analysis.  It begins with a Preamble reciting the fact that there was potentially an equal split of 57 on each side for a National led or Labour led Government.  This required  New  Zealand  First  to  change  its  position  to  some  extent  by  offering  a positive vote on confidence and supply, not merely abstention.  So the party said it was  offering  such  support,  but  not  becoming  part  of  a  coalition.    In  order  to honour  that  position  some  unorthodox  and  unprecedented  arrangements  were made that impinge upon the principle of collective responsibility.    10 Remember,   it   would   have   been   possible   with   a   combination   of   Labour, Progressive,  New  Zealand  First  and  United  Future  to  form  a  majority  Coalition                                                  6    Rt  Hon  Helen  Clark  “Government  Arrangements  Announced”  (17  October  2005)  Media statement. 4 C:\Documents And Settings\Tmcglennon\Desktop\CPA Australian And Pacific Conf. 15 August.Doc 16/08/2006 10:43