Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister defends Nicole McKee and Casey Costello, discusses the Dunedin Hospital cost reduction, HMNZS Manawanui

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says his Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms) Nicole McKee is not a liar and is doing a good job as minister.

“She still holds the position that high-capacity magazines need restrictions on them,” Luxon told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast.

“The Arms Act is 40 years old, so it does need some reviewing," he said.

“It’s entirely appropriate we revisit the Arms Act and make sure it’s fit for purpose.

On Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello, Luxon said “she is really fixated on lowering smoking rates”.

Pressed on whether he believed giving tax cuts to tobacco companies was a smart move, Luxon said Costello was trying to find alternatives for people to use in an effort to quit smoking.

Luxon said, “Nicole McKee is very focused on gun safety and Casey Costello is very focused on reducing smoking rates”.

He said they were being targeted by Opposition criticism.

“They are good ministers who are focused on what I’ve asked them to do,” he said.

On Dunedin Hospital, Luxon dodged repeated questions about where he got the $3 billion construction estimate from.

“We’re not making it up,” he said.

Luxon said a replacement of HMNZS Manawanui would depend on funding priorities.

“Now, with an unanticipated loss, we’ll have to consider that.”

Speaking on the healthcare budget, Luxon said Health NZ commissioner Dr Lester Levy had been “sorting it out”.

Luxon said any flood-risk-home buyouts was a responsibility for landowners, councils and central government.

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