Peters calls out Labour over PGF move
WELLINGTON: New Zealand First leader Winston Peters yesterday delivered his most stinging blow to date against his coalition partners, accusing Labour of abandoning the regions.
‘‘Provincial voters have had confirmed for them today that the Labour Party is abandoning them to their fate,’’ Mr Peters said.
His comments came after Labour announced it would be discontinuing the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) — the crown jewel of NZ First’s coalition agreement with Labour.
Instead, if it is reelected, it plans to introduce a $200 million regional strategic partnership fund.
Mr Peters was less than impressed with Labour’s policy saying: ‘‘It’s a gross mutation of what has been a flagship success during New Zealand First’s term in government’’.
He called Labour’s mooted fund a ‘‘straight copout’’ and a ‘‘sad commentary on Labour’s priorities when they are by themselves’’.
New Zealand First policy was for the Government to spend at least another $3 billion on extending the PGF during the next term.
But speaking in Wairarapa yesterday, Ms Ardern rejected that idea.
‘‘The PGF was only ever designed to be a $3 billion project over three years,’’ she said.
Mr Peters said there was a sense of irony in Labour’s announcement.
‘‘Labour politicians, from the top down, can’t get into the camera shots quick enough at every PGF announcement.’’
He said they were happy to cut the PGF ribbons and accept the applause — ‘‘now they would rather cut their ties with provincial voters’’.
‘‘Voters from Kaitaia to the Bluff know that investments through the PGF during the last three years showed that the Government, for the first time in a long time, were with them.
‘‘Now they know that one party in that coalition Government, Labour, had no real commitment towards them.’’
He speculated the remaining $2.8 billion would be used to fulfil the party’s ‘‘Auckland Light Rail dream . . . One of their signature megafailures, alongside KiwiBuild’’.
When speaking to media yesterday afternoon, Ms Ardern did not wish to comment on Mr Peters’ response, saying only that it was a matter for New Zealand First.
It is not the first time Mr Peters has turned on his coalition partners.
Earlier this week, he referred to them as ‘‘the other side’’ in a speech in which he was highly critical of KiwiBuild among other Labour policies.
He has spoken at length about how New Zealand First MPs have been a handbrake on some of what he called ‘‘silly ideas’’ that Labour and the Greens had attempted to push through cabinet.
By contrast, Ms Ardern has barely spoken about New Zealand First unless she has been questioned on something specific.
And even then, her replies more often than not tend to be: ‘‘That is a matter for New Zealand First’’. — The New Zealand Herald