Parker resigns as Revenue Minister in a huff

This is old news now, but still worth pointing out.

Stuff reported:

David Parker says it was “untenable” for him to remain revenue minister, after he showed clear disagreement with the Government’s direction on tax.

Actually in a normal Government it would be untenable for him to remain in Cabinet.

Every Minister in the last 30 years has had to defend policy that didn’t vote for, or support. It is part of the job of Cabinet collective responsibility.

To have both the Minister of Finance and Revenue publicly disagree with the PM on not a minor policy issue, but arguably the biggest policy issue any Government faces – tax policy – is conceited and ill disciplined.

Parker could have stayed quiet for the next three months and then move out of revenue after the election. He chose not to.

Asked if he made the request of his disagreement with Hipkins over the wealth tax, Parker replied: “Look, you know, my views on those things. I thought it was untenable for me to continue, so I suggested to Chris that it was in the best interest of him and the party that someone else take that role.”

It’s interesting he refers to Hipkins as “Chris”, not as “The Prime Minister”. Indicates a lack of respect. Possibly not surprising as he was a Minister in the Clark Government when Hipkins was a staffer.