New Zealand Opposition MP regrets making comments over Australian election

A New Zealand MP says he regrets weighing in on the Australian federal election after he criticised Anthony Albanese’s policy.

A New Zealand MP says he regrets weighing in on the Australian federal election after he criticised a policy by Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party during an interview with the ABC.

Opposition Health spokesman Shane Reti criticised the Labor Party for a policy that promises increasing nursing numbers in Australian aged care facilities by using skilled migration.

The policy says at least one trained nurse would be on shift at all hours in every aged care facility within one year if Labor won the election.

“Clearly, if need be, we can look at, as we have in the past, importing skilled labour in that area as well,” Mr Albanese said while previously campaigning in Western Australia.

“We need to deal with this. This isn’t rocket science. This is arising from the aged care royal commission.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese visits Longford Medical Centre in Longford, Tasmania on day two of the federal election campaign. Picture: Toby Zerna

Yet Dr Reti told the ABC that the policy could have a “negative impact” in New Zealand, which is also struggling with its own shortages of critical health care staff.

Nurses usually migrate from New Zealand to Australia seeking higher pay and better standards.

“We have seen during COVID-19, as they became a scarce resource, that wages and salaries can be a significant influence and we had some of our precious ICU nurses leave New Zealand for better wages,” Dr Reti said.

“If Australia is going to significantly ramp up its demand, then as its closest neighbour it might look towards us to meet those demands.

“The impact on aged residential care nursing in New Zealand would be significant in as much as we compete in the international pool for nurses.

While it is not forbidden to comment on international political affairs between the two countries, it is unusual, especially around election time.

The comments have appeared on numerous New Zealand news sites, including The New Zealand Herald.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for example declined ABC’s interview request, with a spokesperson saying: “It is not convention to comment on other country’s elections and party election policies.”

Newly elected National Party Leader Todd Muller speaks to media while Shane Reti (far left) looks on in 2020. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

After the interview, Dr Reti said he regretted the comments and would not be making the same mistake again.

“I was stating the obvious,” he said.

“Any jurisdiction which thinks the answer to their nursing crisis is New Zealand’s nursing crisis is going to be a challenge for us.

“But what I won’t be doing is taking enquiries from Australian media while they’re in campaign.”

Mr Albanese, in Tasmania, seemed to brush off Dr Reti’s comments

“Skilled migration is in the mix, New Zealand’s clients confirm this, they confirm that Australia is an attractive destination to come.

“I make this point here in Tasmania, where we are now, there are 24/7 nurses, it’s one of the rules.”

NZ Opposition Leader Chris Luxon had not been briefed on the Australian interview but followed Mr Albanese’s lead.

“He was making some pretty mundane comments … I’m good with that and moving on,” Mr Luxon said.