New Zealand's Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly has stepped down from his position following an incident in which he "placed a hand" on a staff member's upper arm, an action he characterized as "overbearing." In a statement made on Monday, Bayly expressed his "deep sorrow" regarding the event, clarifying that it was not an argument but rather an "animated discussion." He will continue to serve as a member of parliament.
His resignation follows previous criticism from last October, when he referred to a winery employee as a "loser" while making an 'L' shape with his fingers on his forehead, and allegedly directed an expletive at the individual. He subsequently issued a public apology for that incident. "In my efforts to instigate change within my ministerial responsibilities, I have often been impatient," Bayly stated in his resignation announcement. "During a recent animated discussion with a staff member about work, I crossed a line by placing my hand on their upper arm, which was inappropriate."
A complaint was reported, but further details regarding the incident were not provided. Bayly submitted his resignation last Friday, as confirmed by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during a press conference, who noted that the event occurred three days prior, on 18 February. Luxon remarked on Monday that the government's response to the matter within a week was "quite swift" and "quite commendable." He refuted claims that he should have requested Bayly's resignation following the winery incident in October, and when asked about the possibility of the 63-year-old returning to a cabinet role, he stated, "never say never."
In contrast, Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticized Luxon for being "incredibly weak," asserting that the situation involving the staff member should not have extended over the weekend. "Christopher Luxon has once again set an exceedingly low standard for ministerial conduct, making it nearly impossible not to meet it," he expressed to reporters on Monday. Bayly mentioned that he needed to consult with his family and would have found it challenging to address the media earlier.
He was initially elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 2014 as a Member of Parliament representing the current ruling National Party. Following Luxon's election in late 2023, he was appointed as the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, and Minister of Statistics. Additionally, he assumed the role of minister for the ACC, the national scheme for accidental injury compensation, after a cabinet reshuffle earlier this year. Prior to his political career, Bayly was employed in the finance sector. Luxon announced that Scott Simpson, the senior whip of the National Party, would succeed him in the ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs portfolios. Bayly is the first minister to voluntarily resign under Prime Minister Luxon, whose popularity has significantly declined, as indicated by recent polling data. Both the 1News-Verian poll and the Post/Freshwater Strategy poll reveal a decrease in support for his National-led coalition government among the electorate. The government has faced criticism for certain policies perceived as anti-Māori, including the introduction of a bill that many believe undermines Māori rights and the dissolution of the Māori Health Authority, which was established by the previous Labor government to promote greater health equity
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)