Timing of Peters’ new legal action stuns

What a dreadfully untidy way to leave the Beehive.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has headed to Auckland to prepare for the birth of her baby, due on Sunday.

She has spent the past few days trying to allay fears stirred up by National about how reliable Winston Peters will be in charge of the Government in her place. But no sooner does she leave the capital than news breaks that Peters is suing the Government.

Peters is suing the Ministry of Social Development, plus its chief executive, Brendan Boyle, and State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes for $450,000 for breach of privacy — relating to his belief over how details of his pension overpayment were leaked. He is also suing former ministers Paula Bennett and Anne Tolley. The really stunning aspect of the new action is its timing so close to the date he is due to become Acting Prime Minister for six weeks. Why wouldn’t he delay it for the sake of a peaceful transition?

The untidiness in handing over to Peters stretches to the “three strikes” debacle as well. To be fair, most of the blame lies with Justice Minister Andrew Little, who has had to cancel a planned Cabinet paper at Peters’ behest. Little talked for months about getting rid of the three strikes law, without getting sign-off from coalition partners New Zealand First or the Cabinet. Little was led to believe by Peters that he opposed it.

When Little was asked about New Zealand First support for the three strikes repeal 10 days ago, he said: “Winston has an interesting point . . . he is sick and tired of innocent New Zealanders getting mugged on the street and then getting mugged as taxpayers a second time.”

But a nod and wink from Peters is not a commitment.

Ardern and Little have tried to spin this as just a part of the healthy disagreements within coalition, which it is not. It is a failure of proper process in coalition management.

There have been many instances of Labour ministers saying they will do something because it was in the party manifesto. They have not caught up with the fact the manifesto has no standing as a document of promises any longer without NZ First and Greens agreement.

Peters takes over from Ardern tomorrow in terms of answering questions in the House and thanks to him they will come armed and loaded.

Photo / Mark Mitchell Justice Minister Andrew Little tells reporters of his decision to drop the “three strikes” repeal because of lack of support from NZ First. That party’s caucus will consider its stance today.