31 Jul 2019

Bridges defends 'part-time PM' criticism of Ardern

From Morning Report, 7:25 am on 31 July 2019

National Party leader Simon Bridges has accused the Prime Minister of failing in her duties by being in Tokelau instead of leading a government response to the Ihumātao land dispute calling her a "part-time prime minister".

Finance Minister Grant Robertson leapt to Jacinda Ardern's defence, accusing the leader of the Opposition of descending into dirty politics - focusing on the personal, rather than on policy.

"I don't quite know what Simon Bridges was saying when he said the phrase 'part-time prime minister' - I do wonder if there is a bit of a sexist overtone in that," he said.

Mr Bridges joins Corin Dann in the studio with his response.