Newshub political editor Jenna Lynch says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon could have had a real moment at Waitangi earlier this week by closing the door to ACT leader David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill.
Luxon appeared on AM on Wednesday, telling the show his party "does not support going to a referendum" and will not support the Bill beyond its first reading.
He said it was a "sticking point" for ACT and to form the Coalition Government he had to compromise.
Appearing later on the programme, Lynch said he has now been "black and white" that the National Party will not let the Bill reach a referendum, despite previously being careful with his language around the Bill saying there was "no intention" and "no commitment" to support it pass its first reading.
"He could have said that on the Treaty Grounds. He could have saved that message and it would have been a real moment for him, addressing the concerns that Māori have been raising," Lynch said.
Watch the video above.
