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Labour ministers turn political disputes personal

Published

3 years ago

August 15, 2023

Labour ministers are turning political disputes personal, as election campaigning ramps up and polls continue to show a declining trend for the party.

Associate Housing Minister Willie Jackson has had to apologise in Parliament, while Finance Minister Grant Robertson is refusing to apologise after calling his opposite a “liar”.

‘Get it through your thick head’
Questioned about interest deductibility on Tuesday afternoon, Jackson had to apologise after repeatedly criticising the questioner, Chris Bishop, and National’s leader Christopher Luxon.

“Get it through your thick head,” he said to Bishop. “These questions are getting stupider and stupider.”

Bishop had been asking him about Labour’s policy of removing interest deductability from rental properties, which began being phased in from October 2021.

Chris BishopPhoto: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Some of Jackson’s comments were more considered.

“This person here (Bishop) was advocating for the tobacco companies, advocating against the average New Zealander, he should hang his head in shame, Mr Speaker, but now he’s an honourable member, some say.

“Under the previous government, Mr Speaker, landlords would kick people out – Kiwis out – just at a whim … now we have warm homes, we look after people, you can’t put rent up just at the drop of a hat like Mr Luxon and his rich mates would do.”

National had unearthed a since-deleted social media post by Associate Revenue Minister Deborah Russell from 2013 – before she was in Parliament – which warned against such a move, saying it was a bad idea, and would be “an arbitrary rule, designed to achieve a non-tax purpose”.

Russell this morning defended having changed her view on that, saying she was now fully in support of the interest deductability change.

“Goodness, are the going to go back to my arguments with my brothers in the sandpit next?” she asked. “Times have changed, the facts have changed, the fact is that house prices were getting very very high, we know it was driven by some people who were investing and using interest as a means of doing that – so when the facts have changed, I’ve changed my mind.”

She said it was “pretty desperate” for National to be going back to a 2013 blog post.

“A tweet. I’ve put many opinions in many tweets. I have thought through the implications of it – the tax system exists to serve the people of the country. The purity of the tax system is not an object of itself.”

Jackson later said housing shortages and wage increases were more to blame for rent rises than interest deductability changes – relying on a recent report from Treasury, the Reserve Bank and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. It was his subsequent response to questions about Russell’s post that got the House in an uproar.

“Mr Speaker, yet another stupid question from that Member. Mr Speaker we all say things and we do things differently 10 years ago, I mean that member, Mr Speaker, was a rotten lobbyist for the tobacco companies 10 years ago, and now he’s an honourable member.

“The member’s talking about what someone said 10 years ago, we have a member here that totally supports what the government is saying. He should look at what he was doing 10 years ago which was advocating for the dirty rotten tobacco companies.”

Labour MP Willie Jackson addresses the National Party during the general debateLabour MP Willie Jackson addresses the National Party during the general debate Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
‘It was something that wasn’t true’
Grant Robertson on the other hand is refusing to apologise after saying National’s finance spokesperson Nicola Willis was “lying” in her speculations about the GST-free policy.

Jan Tinetti and Grant Robertson announce new funding for universitiesPhoto: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Willis had criticised Labour after discovering an error in their costings in documents released early to the media under an embargo. The details were corrected by the time of the policy’s official release but reporters were not notified of the change.

She on Monday said the error suggested Robertson and Hipkins had disagreed over the date the policy would be in place by.

Hipkins seemed to confirm this somewhat in the post-Cabinet media briefing that afternoon: “Yeah, like I said, we did look at a number of different scenarios, calculated out the costs of a number of different scenarios, and clearly the wrong one was used in that first fact sheet,” he said.

Appearing on Newstalk ZB on Tuesday morning, Robertson was asked whether there had been a disagreement, but repeatedly claimed it was a lie. He later criticised the media reporting of the matter.

“I’m frustrated by the form of questioning that says ‘Here’s an accusation that has no evidence behind it, what do you say to that’, then the politician says ‘Well that didn’t happen’ and then the story is written that the politician denied it,” he said.

Willis shortly after told media she was not likely to pursue the matter in the courts.

“The last thing he needs is a lawyer letter, he probably needs a cup of tea and a lie down,” she said.

Nicola WillisPhoto: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“He’s clearly under a lot of pressure, he’s had a tough start to the year, he’s had to swallow a lot of rats, and it was out of character for him to get personal like that … I’ve got some compassion for him, I think he needs a break, and I’m very happy to give him one.”

In the afternoon, Robertson refused to back down from his accusation.

“There was a series of meetings about the policy and obviously that discussed the dates, but the accusation was that there was a disagreement between the prime minister and myself – that is absolutely not true,” he said. “It was something that wasn’t true, and to me that’s what that is.”

VIA RNZ

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

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New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

Latest News

Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

rnz