Bridges is politicising NZ’s relationship with China: PM
WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has not denied claims by National that five of her ministers are waiting for permission from China for a visit there which would be a further sign of strained relations with the superpower.
Instead, she accused National leader Simon Bridges in the first question time of the year of acting against New Zealand’s national interest through what she called ‘‘the politicisation’’ of the New ZealandChina relationship.
Ms Ardern listed the six visits ministers undertook to China last year: Foreign Minister Winston Peters in May, Climate Change Minister James Shaw in July, Education Minister Chris Hipkins in July, Forestry Minister Shane Jones in September, Science Minister Megan Woods in September, and Trade Minister David Parker in November.
She said five ministers might intend to visit in the future, given six had visited last year, then she was prompted by Foreign Minister Winston Peters to elaborate on what he called ‘‘New Zealand’s hitherto foreign policy consensus’’.
She accused Mr Bridges of ‘‘playing politics’’ over the relationship with China.
Ms Ardern said it was important to have an independent foreign policy line that was in the interests of New Zealand economically, and in terms of economic security and its values.
‘‘It is disappointing that in recent times, we have seen the politicisation of our relationship, which sits directly in contradiction to our economic interests and our national security interests.’’
Strains emerged last year when China objected to how it was described in a defence strategic paper which Mr Peters fronted when Ms Ardern was on maternity leave.
Strains intensified when New Zealand Government spy agency the GCSB declined the involvement of Huawei in Spark’s 5G network.
If its objections are not resolved, the Government will have to make the decision.
Ms Ardern has failed to get a date to visit China owing to ‘‘scheduling issues’’. Similar issues led to China cancelling a gala opening next week in Wellington to mark the ChinaNew Zealand Year of Tourism.
Mr Bridges has accused Ms Ardern and Mr Peters of mishandling the relationship, exacerbated by a Peters speech in Washington talking up the importance of the United States countering China in the Pacific.
Mr Peters and Mr Bridges in questions to Ms Ardern raised controversial comments made by the other; Mr Peters during the 2014 election campaign and Mr Bridges in a secretly taped conversation with excolleague JamiLee Ross.
Mr Peters: ‘‘Is it true that the Government’s position is to treat every nation and every people fairly, politely, equally, and respectfully, and would never say, for example ‘two Chinese are better than two Indians’?’’
Mr Bridges: ‘‘Does she agree with her Foreign Minister’s former comments that ‘two Wongs don’t make a white’?’’
Speaker Trevor Mallard admonished them both. — NZME
WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Labour MPs should have been on time to a select committee hearing yesterday morning that was cancelled, wasting submitters’ time.
And while National MPs could have ensured the hearings took place by simply returning to the room, they said they had no intention of apologising to people whose time was wasted.
The finance and expenditure select committee collapsed yesterday morning, and Labour and National MPs blamed each other for the mess.
National MPs walked out of the meeting in protest, accusing Labour of failing to get out of bed on time, while Labour says National MPs were being childish by standing outside the door and refusing to take part.
During the standoff, about 15 submitters, some of whom had travelled to Wellington to have their say on the Government’s budget policy statement and the Pike River Recovery Agency, waited outside the meeting room — and were eventually told the meeting had been cancelled.
Under standing orders, the meeting cannot take place unless a quorum of at least half the members are present within 10 minutes of the starting time.
Ms Ardern criticised Labour MPs for not being at the committee on time.
‘‘They’ve made mistakes. We need to own that,’’ Ms Ardern said.
‘‘My expectation is they do their jobs. There’s no excuses. I’ve made it very clear this is not acceptable.’’
Labour MP and committee chairman Michael Wood said one Labour committee member was sick, and Labour MP Jo Luxton joined the committee as a substitute 30 seconds after the cutoff time.
But he said the meeting could have gone ahead if the National MPs simply came back into the room.
‘‘There were enough members for a quorum. They were literally standing outside the door.’’
National MP David Carter continued his attack on Labour MPs yesterday afternoon and said if anyone should apologise to submitters, it should be Labour and New Zealand First MPs.
‘‘It’s not the Opposition’s job to maintain quorums at select committee.
‘‘Labour members are lazy and disorganised.
‘‘We’re fed up with being there on time as National members, and watching Labour members saunter in there five, 10, 15 minutes late,’’ he said.
‘‘This is a lazy, disorganised Government.
‘‘They don’t read their papers. They ask inane questions. This is the most important select committee in Parliament.’’
He said National MPs had warned the committee they could walk out if Labour members did not show up on time.
‘‘They’ll still so disorganised, they could not get their members out of bed to a select committee. Get out of bed and be there.’’
National leader Simon Bridges stood by the actions of the National MPs.
‘‘It is the Government members of Parliament who should apologise [to submitters].
‘‘No ifs, not buts. They weren’t taking the business of Government seriously. We adhered to the rules.’’
Leader of the House Chris Hipkins, who is not on the committee, said the whole episode reflected poorly on politicians and Parliament.
‘‘It’s childish gameplaying. ‘‘There were people who came to Wellington to appear before select committee, and found they had completely wasted their time.
‘‘It’s not good faith. It’s not the right way to approach things.
‘‘It’s a bad look for the parliament as a whole.’’ — NZME
❛ My expectation is they do their jobs. There’s no excuses. I’ve made it very clear this is not acceptable