Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Winston Peters earlier this year. (Photo: Hannah Peters)

23 August 2018

Tracy Watkins – Stuff Political Editor

Foreign Minster Winston Peters has flown into the middle of a leadership stoush in Australia where his call for a “fair suck of the sav” for Kiwi expats will likely fall on deaf ears. Peters made reference to the leadership spill, noting that their meeting took place against the backdrop of a “most curious and unusual time” in Australian politics.

There is no love lost between New Zealand and Dutton, who has been uncompromising over the plight of Kiwi detainees.

No friend of New Zealand – could Peter Dutton be the next Prime Minister of Australia? (Photo: Rod MCGuirk)

New Zealand can expect an even harder line from Australia if Dutton replaces Turnbull as prime minister in another leadership vote.

Peters delivered a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday afternoon calling on Australia to give New Zealand a “fair suck of the sav” and reminding them of our shared history and close trans-Tasman ties.

[Read the full Stuff article].