Dunne: NZ First attack shows Winston’s weakness

The personal attack on me by New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, merely demonstrates how acutely aware he is of the appalling shambles he made in his only attempt at being part of a stable, responsible Government, United Future leader, Peter Dunne, said today.

Mr Dunne pointed out last Friday that the Labour-United Future confidence and supply agreement had surpassed the National-New Zealand First coalition agreement and had brought considerably more stability to government in New Zealand.

“In his customary incoherent manner, Mr Peter has responded with a tirade of abuse, calling me a lapdog and making obscure remarks about worms and dogs,” said Mr Dunne.

“In the interests of conducting the politics of fact and not abuse, let me remind the country that during Mr Peters’ disastrous rule as Treasurer and deputy Prime Minister, he

* had to sack one of his own party’s ministers for refusing to follow the rules

* led an unprecedented walkout from a Cabinet meeting

* was himself sacked by his own party’s Maori MP’s because they had no faith in his leadership

* and spent millions of dollars of taxpayer money on a referendum on superannuation which turned into a referendum on his own performance. The final vote – 93% v 7% - was a resounding defeat for Mr Peters and his policies.

“Mr Peters has also developed a reputation for getting involved in late-night brawls in Courtenay Place – scarcely the mark of a man who claims he wishes to do nothing but good for the people of New Zealand.

“I repeat what I said last week – New Zealand needs stability in Government and the record already shows United Future, with its commonsense policies and ethic of hard work, is much more likely to provide that than the unprincipled, erratic, poll-driven populism of the Winston Peters party,” said Mr Dunne.

© Scoop Media