NZ ‘aghast’ at Australia’s ‘ego’-driven politics

Australia’s closest ally is alarmed by the coalition’s leadership change; It may not be worth engaging with the new shadow foreign secretary, even as a joke.

New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said he was “horrified” by the “inexcusable” turmoil within Australian political ranks, which he attributed to “ego”.

Mr Peters is in his third term as New Zealand’s top diplomat, having served in the governments of Helen Clark, Jacinda Ardern and currently Christopher Luxon.

When asked about his ties to newly elected opposition leader Angus Taylor, the 80-year-old instead criticized the recent leadership struggles that have consumed Australian politics.

“Can I just say as an outsider that I’m appalled,” he told AAP in Wellington. he said.

“The years of stability, those years of civility, first by Hawke and then by Howard, were so critical to Australia’s success.

“This loss is now truly inexcusable and the loss to both Labor and the Liberal Party has been enormous.

“Finally, you have to step back and tell those parties… What happens to you when you think that the most important thing for ascension is the personal ego?”

Mr Taylor became the Liberals’ third leader in the past year by winning last week’s vote against Sussan Ley.

While Mr Peters has brought Labor into his broad wing, the centre-left party has had just two leaders in 13 years: Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese.

The turnover in the coalition’s foreign affairs spokesman is even more pronounced; There have been five people who have held the mantle since 2022: Marise Payne, Simon Birmingham, David Coleman, Michaelia Cash and now Ted O’Brien.

By contrast, Penny Wong served as Labour’s foreign affairs spokesman for almost a decade, first in opposition and then in government.

Mr Peters said the task of ensuring strong relationships was not helped by political change.

He may not need to start a new relationship with Mr. O’Brien, he said, before joking: “It makes it harder on you because you’re constantly getting new leaders.”

“The way the polls are going, maybe that’s not the case,” he said.

Mr Peters is a mainstay of Kiwi politics, first elected to parliament in 1979 and founding the populist New Zealand First Party in 1993.

He is implementing the model of leadership consistency he wants to see across the Tasman: He has led his party for 33 years.