Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has brushed off talk of cracks forming in the Government coalition after Winston Peters and David Seymour exchanged barbs over a flagship law.
Just days after voting for it, Peters last week vowed to repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill championed by Act leader Seymour. Some commentators have seen that as a pre-election move by the New Zealand First leader, and Seymour has accused him of eyeing up a deal with Labour.
But Luxon, when asked this morning if he had concerns about Peters given NZ First had voted for the bill and praised it at its third reading, said he had “none whatsoever”.
He told Breakfast he disagreed with Seymour’s assertion that Peters was switching allegiances to Labour.
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a dramatic late night rescue in a posh Auckland suburb, the White House says Elon Musk’s pet project doesn’t exist, and what Britain’s PM thinks former prince Andrew should do now. (Source: Breakfast)
“Parties will have different points of view, and you’re going to see that as we go into election year as well,” Luxon said.
He said the coalition was providing a “strong and stable” government for New Zealand and was “very united” around the core issues. “I just ask you to think about the other side – Labour, Te Pāti Māori, the Greens and two independents, that isn’t going to be strong and stable government.”
Luxon rejects claims of cracks in the coalition – Watch on TVNZ+
Peters changes tack
Peters has said he had backed the Regulatory Standards Bill earlier this month only because it was part of the coalition deal, saying: “We did our best to neutralise its adverse effects, and we will campaign at the next election to repeal it.”
The law, championed by Seymour, aims to curb red tape by requiring new legislation to meet principles prioritising property rights and creating a Regulatory Standards Board. It has faced fierce opposition, 98% of public submissions were against it, with critics warning it could favour big corporates and slow lawmaking.
NZ First leader Winston Peters has openly criticised the Regulatory Standards Bill, prompting ACT leader David Seymour to accuse him of cosying up to Labour. (Source: Breakfast)
Seymour called Peters’ stance “pretty worrying” and said it “sounds like he’s getting ready to go with Labour again”.
“This is a landmark piece of legislation that ACT would never vote to get rid of so, if he wants to do that, he’s got to go with Labour.”
