Andrew Bayly speaks to media following his resignation from all ministerial positions on 24 February 2025. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it was a fair assumption he would have fired Andrew Bayly if the Commerce Minister had not resigned from his ministerial positions first.
The opposition is ridiculing the Prime Minister's assessment of how Bayly's resignation was handled.
The Commerce and ACC Minister on Monday revealed he had resigned from his ministerial portfolios on Friday night, after grabbing a staffer's upper arm during a discussion that's been described as "lively", earlier in the week.
Christopher Luxon said it had been managed 'incredibly well', with a quick and impressive response.
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins did not agree.
"I think you can form your own conclusions about that, but sitting on the information for two days before doing anything about it, then having Andrew Bayly himself resign, then not telling the public about it for several more days, then sneaking it out before jumping on a plane to escape overseas ... I think people will see that for what it is."
He said Luxon should have sacked Andrew Bayly in October when it was revealed he had repeatedly called a worker a "loser" during a visit to a South Island business.
Hipkins said it was clearly a double standard from the prime minister.
Luxon rejected Hipkins' accusation he did not act quickly enough, saying he was following a process.
Proper discussions needed to take place immediately after concerns were raised, he said.
"I don't think it's unreasonable then over a weekend for him to take the time which was a monumental decision to step down as a minister, to actually inform his family and other staff."
Bayly understood the standards, Luxon said.
"Andrew got to the end of that process, called me very late on Friday and resigned. You know, it's very clear he didn't meet the standards of the ministers but more importantly, he understood the standard and the fact that he offered his resignation I think is a good thing."
Luxon said it would not have been appropriate to fire Bayly on the spot.
"The incident happened on Tuesday, my office was informed on Wednesday evening, there was a process then on Thursday, Friday of engaging with the staff that were involved and as a result getting clear on what had actually happened - and that debrief would come to me - but in essence what happened was Andrew called and said he's offering his resignation."
Luxon said there had been conversations with staff involved in the incident and they were getting the support that they needed.
The situation was not ideal, but the government had moved decisively to appoint Scott Simpson to take up the portfolios that Bayly had relinquished, he said.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis told First Up the government was showing humanity in allowing Andrew Bayly some time before his resignation became public.
Nicola Willis told First Up he took the time to tell his family and supporters what had happened.
"I think there's just a little bit of humanity involved in making sure that he had told the relevant people and then that's been made public at the latest opportunity."
Bayly offered his resignation because he felt that his actions did not meet his own or others expectations of him, she said.
Willis said she did not know how the staffer was doing but Andrew Bayly had apologised to him.
She told First Up that as far as she knew the incident had not been referred to police.
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