Labour leader Chris Hipkins has ruled out working with Winston Peters and NZ First after the election.
In a speech from the Labour Party caucus room, Hipkins attacked the party’s former coalition party, saying he is divisive.
“New Zealand First has become a party more interested in toilets than the issues that really matter,” he said, referring to the party’s recent focus on trans issues. “Winston Peters and New Zealand First are a force for instability and chaos, and that’s the last thing the country needs right now.”
Hipkins delivered some his most pointed attacks yet on the opposition and set up the election to be a conflict of values – particularly on abortion and rainbow issues.
“The National, ACT, New Zealand First coalition of cuts, chaos and confusion hold a compilation of views I think would alienate large sections of our society. Not just economically, but to their sense of belonging too. They are the coalition of fear,” he said.
“The National Party has many MPs and candidates who want to roll back women’s rights.” National leader Christopher Luxon has ruled out any changes to abortion legislation.
Hipkins said he would work with both the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori in a potential future governing arrangement.
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