Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell demonstrates how not to make a budget announcement – Audrey Young

OPINION

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Welcome to the political report. Memo to ministers and press secretaries: “If you missed it, sit down and watch yesterday’s press conference to learn how not to make a budget announcement.” is the note Christopher Luxon should send all his ministers if he hasn’t already as the pre-budget announcements are released.

After 40 minutes of questions and answers about government spending on Prisons, everyone was more confused than when they entered the Beehive theatre, including the Prime Minister and the Minister for Prisons. Mark Mitchell.

Once the clarifying statement came after the press conference, it was clear that they had underestimated the announcement. It turned out that the Government is promising $1.9 billion more for the prison sector in four years than current spending. That will fund more prison beds, more prison staff and more rehabilitation programs for pretrial detainees who make up 45 percent of prison staff.

It wasn’t Luxon’s fault. As Prime Minister, he is not expected to know the details of each portfolio. He could have gotten away with political statements that the previous government had been soft on crime if Mitchell had been aware of the details about the cost of the new measures. The Prime Minister resorted to his reserve diverter when things don’t add up: “I don’t know how I can be clearer…”

Here’s how, PM. Make sure every press release on Government spending states whether the headline figure is the total spent on Corrections or whether it is new spending, either for the next financial year (July to June) or over four years , and what distinguishes it from what was planned by the previous Government.

For the record, clarification later sent by Mark Mitchell’s office said there are currently 455 beds at Waikeria Prison; that in one year 600 new beds will come into operation, including 100 mental health beds; and that yesterday’s funding announcement will mean an additional 810 beds which, when completed, will take Waikeria’s capacity to a whopping 1,865 beds.

The double Arbuckle

In other news, Luxon made it clear on Newstalk ZB this morning that he would not allow any national MP to remain a councilor and MP. That is likely to upset the leader of the New Zealand First Winston Peterswhose MP and whip Jamie Arbuckle He has remained on Marlborough District Council and is paid for both jobs.

But Luxon was only saying what many people thought. And in a surprising development, Arbuckle issued a statement this morning saying that he would resign as a councilor in October (a year before the next local body election), the timing of which will avoid a council by-election, and that he would donate his salary to an organization local charity.

Meanwhile, Winston Peters announced this morning that Banks of rosemary will return to Washington DC as New Zealand ambassador in June. The current ambassador, Bede Corry, has returned to preside over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The banks are an excellent appointment. It is insurance against a possible Trump victory in November, since she had previously worked there during the second part of her first term. And as MFAT’s top diplomat, she is a role model for older workers around the world.

Between quotation marks

“The role of a list MP is as big or small as you choose to make it” – list MP and deputy national leader Nicholas Willis on Newstalk ZB.

Micro-quiz

Which European country’s foreign minister visited New Zealand at the weekend? (Answer below.)

Brickbat

Goes to the green deputy Julie Anne Genter for planning to spend the week in the Chatham Islands (part of his electorate) rather than denouncing his aggressive behavior in Parliament last week. It wasn’t a great look, it was even a pre-arranged trip.

Bouquet

It’s about female power in the economic sphere, which cannot go unnoticed after yesterday’s press conference to release the OECD report on New Zealand: it included the OECD’s chief economist. Clara LombardelliSecretary of the Treasury Caralee McLiesh and Minister of Finance Nicholas Willis. Furthermore, the Labor MP who commented on it was Barbara Edmondsand the Herald The report (see below) was written by our Wellington business editor, Jenee Tibshraeny.

Latest news and political opinions.

Law and order: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a $1.9 billion investment in additional law and order measures, including a plan to build a mega prison in Waikato.

Genter states: Under-fire Green MP Julie Anne Genter is back to work this week… in the Chatham Islands.

Genter states: Green Party co-leaders have discussed new allegations about her bad behavior with Julie Anne Genter.

Juggling with Arbuckle: Christopher Luxon says he would not accept one of his MPs simultaneously drawing salaries as an MP and a local councillor, as New Zealand’s first MP Jamie Arbuckle is doing.

OECD Warning: The OECD has warned the New Zealand government that it should not go into debt to pay for tax cuts.

Commercial negotiations: Trade Minister Todd McClay announced this morning that New Zealand has begun trade negotiations with the United Arab Emirates.

Political donations: The National Party has revealed a whopping $10.4 million in donations in its 2023 election year, more than double the amount declared by any other party.

Bridges Interview: Former National Party leader Simon Bridges doesn’t believe New Zealand was ready for a Māori prime minister when he had a chance at the top job.

Disability Financing: The Ministry of People with Disabilities deliberately decided not to give advance notice of changes in funding, recently published documents show.

Covid Plan: Pharmac and Health NZ are weighing up the future direction of Covid-19 vaccines and treatments in New Zealand.

Opinion: As former Green Party co-leader James Shaw retires from Parliament, Simon Wilson looks at the prospects for environmental policy.

Opinion: Anyone who watched Christopher Luxon and Erica Stanford talk about banning mobile phones in schools would be forgiven for thinking they were overcome with nostalgia, writes Claire Trevett.

When Parliament resumes at 2pm today, Speaker Gerry Brownlee is expected to announce whether Green MP Julie Anne Genter’s aggressive behavior last week has been referred to the Privileges Committee.

Quiz answer: Germany. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was Annalena Baerbock.

Young Audrey is the New Zealand HeraldThe senior political correspondent. She was named Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards in 2023, 2020 and 2018.

For more political news and opinions, listen on the tileshe HeraldThe politics podcast.