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New Zealand Commerce Minister Resigns Following Inappropriate Conduct
Andrew Bayly, New Zealand’s Commerce Minister, has stepped down from his role after acknowledging inappropriate behavior towards a staff member during a discussion last week. Bayly described the incident as a moment of being “overbearing,” where he placed a hand on the individual’s upper arm.
In a statement on Monday, he expressed deep regret over the incident, clarifying that it was not a disagreement but rather an “animated discussion.” Despite resigning from his ministerial duties, Bayly will continue serving as a Member of Parliament.
This resignation follows prior controversy surrounding Bayly, who faced backlash last October for derogatory remarks made to a winery worker. His comments included calling the individual a “loser” while making an offensive gesture, which he later apologized for publicly.
Bayly stated, “As many of you know, I have been impatient to drive change in my ministerial portfolios,” reflecting on his swift departure. He elaborated that he had taken the workplace discussion too far, acknowledging his inappropriate touch.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed Bayly’s resignation during a press conference, stating the incident occurred on February 18. Luxon praised the government’s prompt handling of the situation, asserting that the response was “pretty quick” and “pretty impressive.” He also dismissed suggestions that Bayly should have resigned after the previous incident in October, suggesting there remains a possibility for Bayly’s return to cabinet in the future.
Conversely, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins criticized Luxon for his handling of the situation, calling it “incredibly weak” and suggesting that the issue should not have extended over the weekend before a resolution was achieved.
Bayly remarked that he needed to discuss the incident with his family, indicating that he would have found it challenging to address the media immediately after the events.
First elected to Parliament in 2014 as a member of the ruling National Party, Bayly held multiple ministerial positions following Luxon’s election at the end of 2023. These roles included Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, and Minister of Statistics, with an additional appointment as Minister for the ACC, the national accident compensation scheme, earlier this year. Before entering politics, he had a career in finance.
In response to Bayly’s departure, Luxon announced that Scott Simpson, the National Party’s senior whip, would take on the ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs portfolios.
Bayly’s resignation marks a notable event, as he is the first minister to resign voluntarily under Prime Minister Luxon’s leadership. Recent polling indicates that Luxon’s government is facing diminishing support, with both the 1News-Verian poll and the Post/Freshwater Strategy poll reflecting a decline in favorability for the National-led coalition.
The government has also faced criticism for policies perceived as unfavorable to Māori communities. Controversial legislation has been introduced, which many believe undermines Māori rights, alongside the dissolution of the Māori Health Authority, established under the previous Labour government to enhance health equity.
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