Simon Bridges: NZ will never win in chequebook war of diplomacy
National leader Simon Bridges believes the government has got its priorities wrong.
New Zealand will never win in a war of "chequebook" diplomacy so it's a waste of money trying, says National Party leader Simon Bridges.
He criticised the Government over its near $1b spend on foreign affairs over the next four years, calling out the Government for failing to deliver on key election promises and not spending the money closer to home.
In a pre-budget announcement on Tuesday night, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the boost to expand his department, and fund the Government's "Pacific reset" strategy.
National Party leader Simon Bridges says the Government has its priorities wrong on its $1b foreign affairs spend.
The strategy is a key part of the Government's foreign policy and security platform to fight "soft power" approaches by countries like China, wanting to gain an influential foothold in the Pacific region.
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But Bridges said a $700m spend on foreign aid in the Pacific was unnecessary; New Zealand's diplomats could achieve what they needed to on a smaller budget and New Zealand can't compete in a cash war.
"We're not going to win the chequebook argument. We'd increased funding a fair bit [in the previous Government], and we can do a lot on the budgets that we've got," he said.
"We did get on the UNSC, we are seen as honest brokers around the world, we do have a constructive role to play in the Pacific - all of these things.
"But that's about much more than cash - it's about winning arguments, it's about the persuasion and yep, we've got to be there. But on relatively significant funding at the moment, we can do that."
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has unveiled a major new funding package for the foreign service.
Bridges said the Government was trying to "have it both ways", by claiming funding crises in health and education. But he said the foreign affairs spend proved those holes did not exist.
"They don't. Actually they've got strong books, they're making priorities, I would make different priorities, I wouldn't put $900m here. I'm not saying you couldn't make a case for some increase, but certainly not at this level
"And we'd be fulfilling the promises we made to the electorate."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government has to find a balance to budget a range of needs.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there were many needs the Government had to balance.
"Which include nurses, teachers, police, mental health workers - the list of professionals and services that we need to balance in this budget is long and we will," she said.
"But what we need to keep in mind is we are increasingly in an insecure environment, we also have responsibilities in the Pacific and if we're not there, others will be.
"At the same time, we also have to make sure we've got our own house in order in New Zealand and we're doing both."
- Stuff
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