The Prime Minister was quizzed today in Parliament over the Government's decision to inject about $190 million into foreign affairs and $714m into international aid, despite Labour facing a potential delay in their election promise of a drop in the price of GP visits.
National leader Simon Bridges asked: "Why did her government favour $900 million for diplomats, rather than fully funding universally cheaper GP visits from July 1?"
Josie Pagani, director of the Council for International Development, said it was a "massive improvement".
Last night, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced in a pre-Budget speech that an extra $714.2 million would go to foreign aid, mainly around the Pacific region over the next four years, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would see an increase of $150.4 million over the next four years, as well as $40.3 million in capital expenditure.
In Parliament's Question Time today Ms Ardern said they were not spending $900 million on diplomats, "we're spending roughly the amount the last government spent on... a bad flag referendum".
Mr Bridges asked why the foreign affairs and development boost was "more important" than the cheaper GP visits.
"When it comes to our health spending, we're yet to announce the full package that this government is yet to produce," Ms Ardern said.
"But I do really question whether or not the National Party is now telling us they see that they have no responsibility for aid and development in the Pacific, because that's a big change from what they reported in office."
Mr Bridges pressed on, asking how that amount of money could be spent, while claiming "there is a crisis in health and education funding".
"Because there is," Ms Ardern said. "Of course we are having to invest in health and education as well, and the Member will see at Budget time how we have balanced the range of competeing demands that we have."
She said the government had to reinvest in aid funding to adhere to international responsibilities after National "let it plummet".
"Shame on you," she said.
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