NZ MP regrets commenting on Australian Labor’s aged care nurses policy

New Zealand’s opposition health spokesman has admitted he should not have broken convention and dipped his toe into the waters of the Australian election to question Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s policy on aged care.

Shane Reti told the ABC that Labor’s policy to increase nurse numbers at aged care facilities could have a “negative impact” in New Zealand.

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

Politicians on both sides of the Tasman tend to adhere to an unwritten convention not to involve themselves in each other’s domestic affairs, especially at election time.

Speaking from Wellington later on Tuesday, Reti said he was not backing away from the comments, but should have picked his audience better.

“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.”

One of Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s flagship policies is to ensure all aged care facilities have nurses on hand at all times of the day to improve welfare standards.

While campaigning in Tasmania, he noted it was already policy in the state.

Using NZ vernacular, he said, “It should be done on the North Island”, meaning the Australian mainland.

NZ Opposition Leader Chris Luxon said Reti’s transgression was mild.

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

Australia attracting migrants from New Zealand is not new.

Historically, plenty of Kiwis across a plethora of industries have jumped ‘across the ditch’ for better wages and a lower cost of living in Australia.

Australian healthcare providers, including states, nakedly target New Zealand to bolster their workforce by selling a sun-drenched lifestyle, with more money coming in and less going out.

There are concerns in New Zealand that looser border arrangements will see a tide of migration to Australia.

AAP