Government delivering uncertainty
Unlike the other controversies of recent weeks, where Ardern has been justifying the positions of her colleagues, this was a storm entirely of her own making.
It was not even the only time this week that a major part of the economy was put on notice that the operating conditions are much less certain now than they were under National.
What began with Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones berating a mid-level Air New Zealand employee at Kerikeri Airport on Friday escalated to the airline’s chief executive being told to keep out of politics and a suggestion the chairman should be removed.
Jones carries no actual power in respect of Air New Zealand, but he is a highly influential character.
In criticising the airline for cutting back regional services, he is delivering an opinion shared by many people in regional New Zealand.
But that delivery is the problem. Perhaps Air New Zealand should be pressured to improve its regional connections. Perhaps such pressure could be partly subsidised by cash from the $1 billion a year provincial development fund which Jones manages. If regional connectivity is really as important as many people think, it may not be the worst use of the money.
Instead, though, the Government gives symbolic gestures and name calling.
Ardern ruled that Jones had gone a ‘‘step too far’’ in calling for the sacking of Air New Zealand’s chairman, but that is hardly a full rebuke.
Other industries may be getting nervous, at a time when business confidence is already low.
The electricity sector, where the Government has a controlling share in three of the four biggest players, may wonder what influence ministers will wield. How long before the hugely profitable banking sector gets a serve from a Cabinet minister?
The Government has every right to take action against any part of the economy it chooses. But in a series of recent episodes it has delivered nothing.
If Ardern’s Government is going to be more interventionist, as it has promised it will, then it should spend a little more time working on its plans and warning the industry, rather than making political statement with no back-up.