Julie Bishop keen to work with Jacinda Ardern despite attack on NZ Labour
Malcolm Turnbull has congratulated Jacinda Ardern, the leader of New Zealand’s Labour party, on her shock election victory.
Turnbull spoke to Ardern on Thursday afternoon and both leaders reaffirmed the strength and importance of the Australia-NZ relationship, saying they looked forward to working together and meeting face to face.
The foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, who claimed two months ago it would be “very difficult to build trust” with a New Zealand Labour government following accusations the NZ party had colluded with Australia’s Labor party in an attempt to “bring down” the Turnbull government, has also congratulated Ardern.
Bishop said on Thursday – during a quick doorstop at Canberra airport – that the relationship with New Zealand was broad and deep and she was confident the two countries could work together, signalling a keenness to move on.
“We have a very strong and deep relationship with New Zealand and I’m looking forward to working with the new government,” Bishop said.
When asked if she could trust Ardern, Bishop said that matter had been dealt with.
“The fact is Ardern gave an explanation a couple of months ago about the behaviour of a New Zealand member of the Labour party and she said at the time that his conduct was wrong, it was unacceptable, it should never have happened, and that he shouldn’t have become involved,” she said. “And I accepted her explanation and I agree with her absolutely.”
Her comments came hours after Penny Wong, the shadow foreign affairs minister, called on the Turnbull government to take “immediate action” to rebuild relations with the incoming New Zealand government.
“Labor congratulates Jacinda Ardern and the New Zealand Labour party on successfully concluding negotiations to form the next New Zealand government,” Wong said in a statement. “Labor also thanks outgoing prime minister, Bill English, for his contribution to the strong and warm ties between our two nations.
“It is now incumbent on the foreign minister to undo the damage caused by her irresponsible remarks during the election campaign.”
Ardern, who became leader of NZ Labour less than three months ago, became the prime minister-elect on Thursday after the leader of NZ First, Winston Peters, announced his party would enter into a coalition deal.
After hours in which he teased the public and media with the promise of a decision, Peters made the revelation in a televised broadcast. He did not tell Ardern or the outgoing prime minister and National party leader, Bill English, in advance which of them he would be backing.