Luxon loses control as his coalition fractures on climate

Christopher Luxon’s grip on his own Government is slipping as it flounders on multiple fronts.

The Government’s internal fractures are spilling into the open, with climate policy now exposing how little control Christopher Luxon has over his coalition partners.

“Just days after disagreements within the coalition over the India Free Trade Agreement, New Zealanders have learned that senior minister Shane Jones has unilaterally stopped New Zealand from signing an agreement aimed at phasing out fossil fuels,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“The Prime Minister said this morning he hadn’t been briefed on a decision made by Shane Jones to block joining the agreement, showing again how his coalition partners are running rings around him. It’s now so bad that Shane Jones is making calls internationally without bothering to take them to Cabinet.

“Shane Jones’ decision to reject the fossil fuel phase-out agreement at the climate change conference in Brazil was not a minor procedural issue – it contradicts New Zealand’s longstanding international position on fossil fuels and sends a clear signal that ministers are now freelancing.

“New Zealand’s commitment to tackling climate change lies in tatters. Almost all meaningful measures to accelerate our emissions reduction has been abandoned and now Ministers are declaring to the world that we have given up.

“Christopher Luxon’s inability to lead his own Government has been laid bare by the public breakdown over the India FTA, with coalition partners openly contradicting one another on one of New Zealand’s most significant relationships.

“Winston Peters and Christopher Luxon are basically on record calling each other liars. If they don’t believe each other, why should the public believe either of them?

“New Zealand cannot afford another three years of this chaotic Government, and Christopher Luxon’s lacking leadership,” Chris Hipkins said.