Australian cricket star Usman Khawaja has sparked an unlikely diplomatic incident after a function at the New Zealand Prime Mister’s residence.
On Tuesday, the NZ PM Christopher Luxon denied a claim Khawaja who told reporters that the PM had told him the residence ‘Premier House” was “condemned”.
Luxon and NZ Sport Minister Chris Bishop hosted the Australian and New Zealand cricket teams at the property in Wellington on Monday night.
Luxon spoke to the players for an hour and later Khawaja said “the Prime Minister said he couldn’t live in his place.
“He said it was condemned, the kitchen was condemned … I said, ‘why don’t you live here?’ He said, ‘I’m actually not allowed, it was condemned’.”
“I said ‘what?!’ You’re the Prime Minister, fix it!’
“He was like ‘oh, that costs money’. I’m like, ‘surely there’s some money in the New Zealand system!”
Luxon disputed Khawaja’s version of their conversation.
Australian cricket player Usman Khawaja. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images for Cricket Australia)
“No, it hasn’t been [condemned]. That’s not the language I have used or I was reported as using,” Luxon said.
“I was asked do I live in Premier House, and the answer is ‘no, I don’t’. As you know, Premier House has long-standing maintenance issues. A report was given to the former prime minister. That same report has been passed on to me and the Government will consider what options we have available to remedy all the maintenance issues that are there. Until then, I stay in my apartment.
“It’s important because the report that [former PM] Chris Hipkins got and he passed onto me, it obviously needs investment. How we can manage that in the times we’ve got and the cost of living crisis is difficult.
“At the moment there are long-standing maintenance issues with the apartment there and the house in general.”
The prime minister’s living arranments have been of great interest in NZ.
He owns seven residences without mortgages and it was reported he is living in one of them while claiming an allowance.
He is now eligible for a $52,000 handout if he does not live at Premier House.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I have achromatic impunity. $39.90 @ PM at all good ABC Bookstores and even that horrible one in Dandenong.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That’s why l have diplomatic immunity :thumbup:
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Perhaps he is an obvious target because he has a track record of "talking"?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Odd. Why was Usman talking about it to the media in the first place. Seems unwise unless there was more to the story.
Little Billy Bagwell
Roar Rookie
Storm in a teacup over a nothing conversation. Poor journalism to try and stir up the unwashed masses and point the finger undeservedly at the only Moslem in the test match. Poor form. Very poor form.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Agreed but hard to do that with reporters constantly wanting you to talk.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Sure, my point wasn't specific to any particular PM or party. I'm sure Ardern was juggling the same problem.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hmmm. Ussie now has a ready-made excuse if he fails with the bat; he was worrying about the prospect of a homeless NZ PM. Such a compassionate man, Uz.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I love how he mixed up his victim and his ex-wife. He sliced & diced his defence on that.
Andrew
Roar Rookie
Careful Trump may see this and insult you. Although one could say he was abreast of nothing. :laughing:
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
To be fair, Luxon has been there a matter of months, the Ardern government was there 6 years, your right, but bigger things come first i guess.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
Does that mean former PM Helen Clark was the Prime Missus?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
She's not my type.
Andrew
Roar Rookie
As in Stormy Daniels?
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
God, what a beat up... Please get back to the cricket...
KenW
Roar Rookie
This is the official residence of the leader of a small but prosperous nation. It not only houses the PM but hosts foreign leaders, various dignitaries and the odd elite sports team. I hate needless waste as much as the next person but this should be a somewhat impressive building. It's a sad reflection of current politics that he's scared to get it fixed up to a reasonable standard because he knows it would be weaponised against him. I could imagine a similar thing happening here - actually I vaguely recall some to-ing and fro-ing last time The Lodge was upgraded, although I believe that occurred across multiple governments.
Dingo
Roar Rookie
Yes I agree Ken and I’m certainly not across the sensitivity regarding the NZ PM and his living arrangements. It’s also just a conversation that has been blown up. I just wish it wasn’t Usman involved
KenW
Roar Rookie
It's political in that it involves a politician, but otherwise it's all nothing. Usman was recounting what he thought was a humourous conversation, clearly not realising there was a sensitive context around the NZ PM's living arrangements and that his host wouldn't want that broadcast.
Jarijari7
Fair chance most people could live there without much trouble. Also, story intro calls him Prime Mister. Interesting titles in NZ politics.
Dingo
Roar Rookie
Garbage us a bit tough Blink. I’m reading this just like you. Yes it probably has been blown up and yes it’s political and yes it will probably be fixed. My issue is not with the political situation in this story. It’s more that Usman seems to be involved and he is making a name for being involved in political incidents . I like Usman but maybe he should stay quiet.