Labour leader says coalition Government ‘attacking each other’ not good sign for things to come

The Labour leader doesn’t think the coalition Government will opt for an early election, saying “turkeys don’t vote for an early Christmas” and New Zealand is being “led by three turkeys”.

Public disagreements within the current Government have sparked question of a snap election – earlier than the planned November 7 date.

But speaking with Ryan Bridge TODAY, Chris Hipkins said he thought the National, New Zealand First and Act coalition Government would stick it out the full distance.

“Turkeys don’t vote for an early Christmas and this Government is led by three turkeys.

“They will hold on for dear life for as long as they can. It’ll probably be ugly for New Zealanders with their sniping at each other and fighting with each other a lot more and we’re already seeing that now.”

Emails released by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to the Herald last week showed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wanted to shift the Government’s position to show “explicit public support” for the US-led war in Iran, days after it broke out.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) and Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The following evening, Luxon held crisis talks with Peters in the Beehive, where Luxon’s office then told the Herald Peters “had realised his mistake” in showing emails that “mischaracterise the PM’s position”.

It came after a row broke out in Parliament chambers when Labour leader Chris Hipkins told Nicola Willis she “needed medical help” after the Finance Minister let out a loud groan in response to a question from Labour about food price inflation.

Willis then demanded an apology, which Hipkins delivered to her personally.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis (left) and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Hipkins agreed with host Ryan Bridge when he asked if they all needed to grow up.

“Yeah, I think we do need to all take a big deep breath here.

“But the increasing rhetoric within the Government attacking each other isn’t good for New Zealand.

“They should be focused on the issues that are confronting the Government, not fighting amongst themselves.”

Other recent spats include National’s Shane Jones’ comments on the New Zealand-India free trade agreement (FTA) in which he referred to incoming immigrants as a “butter chicken tsunami” – which Hipkins slammed as racist.

Jones also commented on Willis’ recent weight loss, which he later personally and publicly apologised for.