Tim Dower: The cracks are beginning to show in the Government

Published: Dec. 13, 2022, 8:56 p.m.

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Jacinda Ardern\\u2019s off-mic, but not quite far enough off-mic, comment in the House yesterday betrays just how rattled the Government\\u2019s front bench has become.

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I doubt it was anything to do with the Curia poll, which put Labour off by another two points and National up another one.

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It was possibly more to do with having to give in after holding out, inexplicably, for so long on green-listing the nurses for residency.

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Maybe it was something to do with the Nanaia Mahuta contracts report? Maybe some simmering irritation over the Three Waters entrenchment? By the way, that\'s Nanaia again.

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Probably there\\u2019s a growing realisation that there\\u2019s no more Covid money to use to patch up other holes in Government policy, or anything left to sweeten the pot ahead of the next election.

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Maybe it was Barry Soper\\u2019s cheeky sinking ship question over the MP\'s not standing for re-election? Or perhaps it was being pressed on what happens to the fuel excise relief after January 31st?

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So perhaps David Seymour\\u2019s swipe in the debate was just the straw that broke the camel\\u2019s back. And it\\u2019s obvious the Prime Minister is under a great deal of pressure right now.

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You could barely hear it, but barely was enough, calling Seymour such an arrogant... well, you know the word, as she sat down.

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A moment\\u2019s frustration that, who knows, might be said often about Seymour or maybe others behind closed doors.

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I\\u2019m sure Mr Seymour will be, quietly, fairly pleased with the result. He got under the Prime Minister\\u2019s skin.

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And frankly, for the Prime Minister to be calling anyone arrogant right now, is a bit pot-kettle.

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