Voters brace for cliches
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins wasted no time in using his first answer in Question Time to whack National for its vow to reinstate $5 prescription fees for some, setting up an argument that will run until the election: that National will deliver swingeing cuts to public services and subsidies.
At the same time Christopher Luxon struck a now also familiar refrain: that Labour is addicted to spending – and loads of it is spent on rubbish.
There was a creeping – and slightly sinking feeling – while watching the first parliamentary Question Time since the Budget was handed down two weeks ago, that listening to this debate will be the lot of New Zealanders until October 14.
The coalition of cuts! No, the coalition of chaos! Who knows what alliterative alliances the long-suffering public will be subjected to by October. A bipartisan coalition of cliches: definitely.
An EECA campaign about ‘‘finding money in weird places’’, suggesting sub-5 minute showers, unplugging appliances and cold washing cycles also made an appearance – with Luxon and Hipkins trading barbs over who was or wasn’t finding fiscals under the couch.
Hipkins – an experienced practitioner with some 15 years of Question Time under his belt – has continued to grow in confidence in the forum since taking the top job. Early on he had some tumbles – thinking
that government had reduced as a share of the economy since Labour had come to power was one – but now he is niggling, needling, mocking and being, well, generally chippy.
Meanwhile, newly minted minister – and even more newly minted in the police portfolio – Ginny Andersen confused the Opposition for being in Government, much to the amusement of the definitely-stillin-Opposition National Party
‘‘I note that the National Government – the National Party . . .’’, Andersen began: cue applause and plenty of hooting and hollering.
The exchange between National’s Mark Mitchell and Andersen, however, was really around Mitchell trying to get Andersen to admit – in a pithy manner – that retail crime had
increased under Labour (which it has, although as ever, culpability for and reasons behind this are another matter). She kept to broader denunciations of criminal activity while pointing to lots of new police officers
The day did start on a more serious note with Minister of Education Jan Tinetti being referred to Parliament’s powerful Privileges Committee for misleading the House in February and not admitting it until this month. Under Parliament’s rules if an MP has misled the House, they are required to come into the chamber and correct the record at the first possible opportunity.
Speaker Adrian Rurawhe ruled ‘‘a question of privilege does arise from the time taken to correct a misleading statement
to the House. The question, therefore, stands referred to the Privileges Committee.’’
The committee will consider whether Tinetti should be held in contempt. If she is, she would be the first in 15 years. The last person to be held in contempt was Winston Peters.
‘‘It is an important principle that the House can trust the accuracy of ministerial replies to Parliamentary questions,’’ Rurawhe told the House
Speaking of Rurawhe, he has continued to be a wry and amusing speaker, allowing considerably more latitude for disagreement, interjection and general ruckus than his predecessor Trevor Mallard.
The place has become considerably lighter, funnier – and more elucidating – as a result.