Luxon defends second Defence Force plane for Pacific trip after criticising Hipkins

rnz.co.nz

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is defending the use of a second Defence Force plane for his Pacific Islands Forum mission, despite previously criticising the same practice when in opposition. Luxon, currently in Palau, said the deployment of both RNZAF Boeing 757s, with one stationed in Cairns as a backup, was a Defence Force decision due to the large delegation and the remote location's limited air services. In 2023, Luxon criticised a backup plane sent for then-Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' China trip, and he later vowed not to use Defence Force planes, a promise he quickly broke. Hipkins has now accused Luxon of hypocrisy.


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Luxon defends second Defence Force plane for Pacific trip after criticising Hipkins | News Minimalist