Australia Minister rebukes Labour

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Photo: Getty Images
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Photo: Getty Images
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has strongly condemned the New Zealand Labour Party - saying should it be in power after the election it would be "very hard" to build trust.

"New Zealand is facing an election.

"Should there be a change of Government, I would find it very hard to build trust with those involved in allegations designed to undermine the Government of Australia,"  Ms Bishop said today.

"I'm referring to Bill Shorten using a foreign political party to raise questions in a foreign parliament deliberately designed to undermine confidence in the Australian Government."

She said it was now clear the inquiries were prompted by the Australian journalist rather than Mr Hipkins.

"However, Chris himself has acknowledged that had he known what those questions would be used for, he wouldn't have asked them.

"And I've certainly relayed to him that it's my expectation that we focus on our own election rather than matters that are of no concern to us.

He didn't know who was involved but I've made it clear to him that regardless of those circumstances this is not an issue that we should have been involved in."

Mr Joyce has asked the High Court to look at the case, saying he had not been aware he was a New Zealand citizen - it was automatic because his father was New Zealander.

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