Shane Jones would be sacked if he was my MP and made ‘kneepads’ remark, Chris Hipkins says
New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticized government minister Shane Jones for using 'crass' language regarding foreign leaders. Jones had suggested politicians should 'take off your kneepads' when dealing with international figures, a comment Hipkins stated would result in immediate termination if made by a Labour MP.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing political tensions in New Zealand regarding foreign policy, specifically the free trade agreement with India and the conduct of cabinet ministers.
Chris Hipkins says Shane Jones would be sacked if he was a Labour MP and said politicians need to “take off your kneepads” when dealing with foreign leaders.
The remark from Jones has been labelled “crass and unprofessional” by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who added the New Zealand First MP should be “responsible for his language and his comments”.
Jones, a member of Luxon’s Cabinet, was speaking at his party’s convention on Saturday when he took an apparent dig at politicians who attended events alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last weekend.
“Labour Party, National Party, Act Party, Green Party, the next time you go to an ethno-nationalist rally to receive a foreign leader, take off your kneepads,” Jones said.
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