Careful what you wish for: Former Finance Minister offers warning to David Seymour

A man familiar with the role believes the finance portfolio doesn't just come down to who's best for the job. 

ACT's leader David Seymour believes it's no longer tenable for National to demand the portfolio after his party received its highest share of the votes in Saturday's election. 

He's making the case for himself to become Finance Minister. 

Former National Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking parties in whatever coalition eventuates aren't going to have the same preferences or requirements. 

He says there are bigger things to think about, and Seymour will likely trade off this role for something else. 

Joyce is also warning Seymour to be careful what he wishes for, as in holding the portfolio, he would have to be a lot closer to National than he might like to be. 

“The three parties together aren’t going to sign up to ACT’s preferences in terms of fiscal policy ... so he would have to be the Finance Minister presiding over what he would see as a highly watered-down version of what he would like to do.” 

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