Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Simeon Brown's compulsory arbitration threats

Health Minister Simeon Brown was met with booing at the senior doctors' annual conference before accusing doctors of  "crossing an ethical line" and threatening compulsory arbitration. 

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters fired off some threats of his own suggesting regulation for Fonterra if the Lactalis sale proceeds. 

ACT leader David Seymour hit back at Peter's threats saying the decision is for the farmers, not the Government. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says 'politicking' tiffs like Peters and Seymour's will become more common as elections approach next year.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Barry Soper, senior political correspondent, raps a political week that
was for us, of course, Welcome back.

Speaker 2 (00:04):
Barry, Hello again, Heather.

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Do we know yet when Jim Bolger's funeral is No.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
I've been trying to find out, but no one seems
to really know. And I guess there's a number of
things that they have to decide. I mean, Chris Luxon
may want a bit of pomp and ceremony in relation
to the former prime minister who was a prime minister
for a long time, so there will be that, so
that the other considerations. I would imagine the family is

(00:28):
such a big family that they'll want something relatively private.
But look, Jim Boulger, with you liked or disliked him,
he did like a bit of pomp and ceremony, and
I think you know, if the country honored him in
some way, he wouldn't be averse to it. But you know,
it was a sad passing this week that I think

(00:51):
we all knew how early he was, well some of
us knew how early he was, and he had been
for some time, so and it was amazing, wasn't it.
And his whole family were there to see his passing.
And be with him, which would have been wonderful for
Joan Bulger. And isn't it incredible you see all the
out pouring for Joan Boulger because she and I don't

(01:14):
say it unkindly long suffering, because these two were actually
the couple that in politics that you can look at
with great admiration that Joan I remember from time and
time again on election campaign trials, will be in the
front row watching Jim deliver the same speech night after night,

(01:34):
and she would always be laughing in the right places.
So she was his cheerleader if you like as well.
But over the past twenty four hours have been fascinated
by some of those who have been speaking out reverentially
about Jim Bolger. One was Jenny Shipley, you know, saying
what a wonderful man he was. Well, if you're so wonderful,
why did your knife him in the back? I mean,

(01:56):
do you think they got on? No? Initially I think
they you know, she was very senior. Was more recently, no,
I don't think. I don't think there was. I mean
they had been seen publicly in various places, but Bulger
was a bit of a diplomat, very angry. I mean
it's like public public you have to hear them, but privately,

(02:19):
I don't think it was. And similarly, Ruth Richardson, I
heard her on with you yesterday sort of painting the
picture that look was really her deciding when it was
time to go because the business that she had set
out to achieve had been achieved. Well, no, it didn't
happen that way. There was no way that she didn't
like the rug being pulled from beneath her. In the

(02:41):
finance role. She had become something of an embarrassment to
the government and that's why there was a change there.
So Bulgier was hard on some sides. But one thing
I think he'll be remember for those of us who
knew him quite well and I traveled with him throughout
his Prime ministership and had men he had drink in
his office on the ninth floor with him and enjoyed

(03:04):
his company, is that he was a very personable man.
And I think evidence of that is the fact that
he left school, you know, in his mid teens, never
had any formal education, and went on to run the
country relatively successfully. There were a few flaws, but you know,

(03:25):
he was a good bloke and I think that's what
he'll be remembered by those of us.

Speaker 1 (03:29):
In You do you think Jerry Browne's going to be
able to restore order? I mean, I think it's worth
a goal, but it feels like it might be too late.

Speaker 2 (03:37):
No, it's the Business Committee that has to sit in
all parties represented on that. The government will have a
majority in Jerry Brownie will have a big say on that.
But I think there is a general consensus around politicians,
and particularly those in the National Party Act and New Zealand. First,

(03:59):
it's all the others, not so much Labor, but the
rebel in the Maldi Party and the Greens. They are
none too keen on cleaning up the Act. And I
heard the ridiculous argument of Ricardo Mendez March saying that
you know, a tie is not going to change the behavior.

(04:19):
And this is the whole point. It's not a tie
changing behavior. It's respect for the organization. And you know,
I'm one who does respect the organization of Parliament, and
I think if you let standards slip like that, as
Trevor Mallard did when he was a Speaker, then there
is it's very hard to come back. So it's only
been a few years. I don't think it's too late

(04:41):
to retrieve the situation.

Speaker 1 (04:42):
Listen, I haven't got long, but I want to test
you on this. Okay, So there's still pressure on Luxein's leadership.
It's mounting. We've now got an air apparent, which is christmaship.
Do you think that Luxon has gone in twenty twenty seven,
a year after the election, or is he gone before Christmas?

Speaker 2 (04:56):
This is yeah, he's not gone before Christmas.

Speaker 1 (04:58):
So twenty twenty seven.

Speaker 2 (05:00):
Well, whether he's gone on twenty twenty seven is another
matter as well. I think it's a mood thing here though.
And when the National Party starts looking better next year,
and I'm almost certain it will. And if you look
at all the economists, they are all saying there's going
to be growth next year, and quite good growth. That

(05:22):
always increases the enthusiasm of the public. And I would
think that you'll find and I know I'm on record
of saying that to you, and you're going to pay
me a bet that Chris Luxon will be here while
I'm truly okay.

Speaker 1 (05:35):
We'll say about that bet. Barry. Thank you very much,
Barry So for senior political correspondent, rapping the political week it.

Speaker 2 (05:39):
Wasn't for more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive.

Speaker 1 (05:42):
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