New Zealand Criticizes Australia, Labeling It as ‘Egotistical

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, has described the political chaos in Australia as ‘inexcusable,’ attributing it to ‘ego’ and expressing his surprise at the situation.

Peters, who is currently serving his third term as New Zealand’s leading diplomat, brings experience from working under the governments of Helen Clark, Jacinda Ardern, and now Christopher Luxon.

When asked about his relationship with newly appointed Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, the 80-year-old Peters instead provided a pointed commentary on the recent leadership struggles that have plagued Australian politics.

Asked about his ties to newly-elected Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, the 80-year-old instead offered a critique of recent leadership battles that have consumed Australian politics.

‘Can I just say, as an outsider, I’m aghast,’ he told AAP in Wellington.

‘The years of stability, first of Hawke and then Howard, those years of civility have been very critical for Australia’s success.

‘The churn now really is inexcusable, and the churn both in the Labor and the Liberal Party, has been massive.

‘In the end, you’ve got to stand back and say to those parties … what is going on with you when you think that personal ego is the most important thing to elevation?’

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters (pictured) has taken aim at the turnover of political leadership in Australia, saying the changes make his job harder

Last week, Angus Taylor (Pictured with Senators Jane Hume and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price) became the third leader of the Liberals within a year when he won a ballot against Sussan Ley

Taylor became the third leader of the Liberals in the last year when he won a ballot against Sussan Ley last week.

While Peters included Labor in his broadside, the centre-left party has had just two leaders in 13 years: Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese.

The Coalition’s turnover in its foreign affairs spokesperson is even more pronounced, with five serving in the role since 2022: Marise Payne, Simon Birmingham, David Coleman, Michaelia Cash, and now, Ted O’Brien.

In contrast, Penny Wong has served as Labor’s foreign affairs spokesperson in opposition and then government for almost a decade.

Peters said the task of ensuring strong relations wasn’t helped by political turnover.

‘It makes your job harder because you keep on getting new leaders,’ he said, before joking he may not need to begin fresh relationship-building with O’Brien.

‘The way the polls are going, maybe not,’ he said.

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

He practises the leadership consistency he wishes to see across the Tasman, having led his party for the past 33 years.