May 24, 2022
Friendly face at helm across Tasman
A Māori political commentator and long time Australian resident believes the change of Government in Australia will improve trans-Tasman relationships.
Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in yesterday as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister after voters rejected Scott Morrison’s Liberal-National Party coalition.
Matthew Tukaki says he has deep political experience, including in day to day negotiations with minor parties, which he will need as Labor doesn’t have the seats to govern alone.
He says he knows Mr Albanese through his Sydney neighbour, senior Labor MP Tanya Plibersek, and rates him highly.
“He’s just a really good bloke. As to whether or not that is going to play into better relations with New Zealand, overall, absolutely no doubt about that, but as to whether it is going to play into what people want done with the 501s, I’m not so sure,” Mr Tukaki says.
He says a warning for Labor is that the primary votes for the two main parties was well down, and the election was determined by professional women and those concerned about climate change who voted for independents known as Teals in blue ribbon seats in Sydney and Melbourne,