From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m
Christopher Luxon retracts Green Party claim
Luxon retracts 'bizarre' Green Party accusation after minister's false claim.
In brief
Luxon retracts 'bizarre' Green Party accusation after minister's false claim. Luxon retracted a minister's false accusation against the Greens, stating the government blames others for climate policy failures. Originally reported by RNZ.
Luxon retracts claim
Christopher Luxon walked back claims made by Trade Minister Todd McClay about the Greens joining foreign actors in climate change complaints.
“Christopher Luxon has walked back claims made by one of his ministers about the Greens”
McClay's accusation
Trade Minister Todd McClay accused the Green Party of joining foreign actors to attack New Zealand over a climate change complaint with the European Commission.
“Todd McClay accused the Green Party of "joining with foreign actors to attack New Zealand" in regards to a climate change complaint lodged with the European Commission”
Green denial
The Greens denied involvement and McClay provided no evidence for his claim.
“The Greens quickly denied any involvement and McClay provided no evidence”
Luxon shifts blame
Luxon put responsibility on reporters to determine if Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick had involvement in the complaint.
“That'd be up for you guys to accertain whether she has or hasn't”
Luxon's media claim
Luxon suggested the media first raised the possibility of Swarbrick's involvement in the complaint.
“I'm just saying that's not appropriate if that's the case. But equally, I'm sure she hasn't done that”
Swarbrick's response
Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick called McClay's claim 'bizarre' and accused the government of blaming others for climate policy failures.
“McClay had provided "zero evidence" to support his "bizarre claim"”
The bottom line
Luxon retracted a minister's false accusation against the Greens, stating the government blames others for climate policy failures.
