December 13, 2023
Smokefree roll back delegated to rookie minister
Health Minister Shane Reti has passed responsibility for repealing smokefree legislation to his associate minister, first time New Zealand First MP Casey Costello.
The repeal has been condemned by hundreds of organisations including the Cancer Society, the Stroke Foundation, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, the Secondary Principals’ Council and the College of General Practitioners.
Dr Reti says he understands the gravity of the legislation, its impact and the wide condemnation – but Ms Costello has his full support.
“The reality is the delgation is with Minister Costello and she will do a good job. She has my confidence and she now has the authority to make decisions going forward and not me,” he says.
Dr Reti denied assertions from Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall that he palmed the legislation off because he didn’t want to answer the critics.