Ardern outlines Peters’ duties as acting PM
WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has set out in a formal letter the duties to be performed by Winston Peters as acting prime minister when she takes time off to have her baby.
Her due date is June 17 and she is scheduled to take six weeks off, but she said she would still be receiving cabinet and cabinet committee papers.
Mr Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader, appeared with Ms Ardern at her postcabinet press conference yesterday. He will run them when she is away.
Ms Ardern and Mr Peters disputed a suggestion the letter was a goodbehaviour contract.
‘‘Can I just say the Prime Minister and I crafted this letter. Anyone that says otherwise, to use Geoffrey Palmer’s favoured phrase, is spreading rumour with malice,’’ Mr Peters said.
Ms Ardern said: ‘‘This is a letter that simply sets out our usual operational daytoday way of working anyway.
‘‘The deputy prime minister and myself contact each other frequently when we are here in Wellington as well. In many ways, it will be as per usual but simply our roles will reverse for a time.’’
Ms Ardern said she had set out the duties in writing because there had been some public interest in the leave period. It reflected what was already in the cabinet manual.
‘‘As acting prime minister, you will exercise the functions and powers of the prime minister, in consultation with me where appropriate, particularly where matters of significant political, strategic or public interest, or national security arise,’’ the letter to Mr Peters says.
‘‘I will continue to receive Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers. You will manage the daytoday business of the Government.’’
Mr Peters’ other duties will include.—
Chairing cabinet and the cabinet committees usually chaired by the PM. Agendas for the meetings will be managed between the PM’s office and the Cabinet Office in the usual way.
Directing officials from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Overseeing the Government’s policy programme.
Answering questions directed at the prime minister in the House and responding to media inquiries, Official Information Act requests and other correspondence.
‘‘I’m certainly hoping for the best, planning for the worst but expecting everything to be as we’ve set out,’’ Ms Ardern said. — NZME