Jenna Lynch
Wellington, February 10, 2018
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is warming to the new government, after she scalded Jacinda Ardern for Labour’s involvement in the Barnaby Joyce citizenship saga.
Ms Bishop said that she has “moved on” and had a “delightful” dinner with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Winston Peters last night.
“We had a delightful evening hosted by Mr Peters and it was an opportunity to discuss many things,” Ms Bishop told Newshub.
Unsavory incident
That was a much different position than the one she held last August, when it was revealed that Joyce was a citizen of New Zealand and Labour MP Chris Hipkins had had a hand in bringing that information to light.
“Should there be a change of Government, I would find it very hard to build trust with those involved in allegations designed to undermine the Government of Australia,” she said at the time.
Newshub asked her if she now felt like she could trust this government, which garnered a chuckle from Mr Peters who was walking by her side.
“You will recall that the Prime Minister said at that time that the behaviour of her colleague was inappropriate and should not have happened and I agreed with her and accepted that way back then and so we have moved on.”
Talks in Waiheke
The foreign ministers are having official talks on Waiheke Island today and arrived on a private boat with a police escort in the pouring rain.
There was a minor mishap with the umbrella as the pair disembarked the boat – they worked together to fix it and Peters quipped about the Number 8 wire ingenuity of Kiwis.
“Australia and New Zealand are essential natural partners and we have so many issues in common,” she said.
She said she looked forward to discussing a range of issues with Mr Peters, including regional issues, engagement in the Pacific and South-East issue and broader issues around terrorism and security around the globe.
Ms Bishop thanked Mr Peters for his warm hospitality.
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Photo Caption: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters arriving at Waiheke Island with her Australian counterpart Julie Bishop this morning.
(Pool Photo through Radio New Zealand)
Indian Newslink has published the above Newshub Report under a Special Arrangement with www.rnz.co.nz
