Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he's not confident in Paul Goldsmith as the new Broadcasting Minister, pointing to National's $4b fiscal "hole" in 2020.
As National's finance spokesperson before the 2020 general election, Goldsmith said at the time the $4b "hole" found in the party's fiscal and economic plan was an "irritating mistake".
The error happened because National used Budget figures from May 2020 in its cost estimates, instead of using September's PREFU (Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update).
Speaking to Newstalk ZB on Thursday about the media and other topics, Hipkins said a good, vibrant media landscape is "pretty important to democracy".
"I hope the new minister will have a bit more luck than the old one."
New Zealand will have to "wait and see" if Goldsmith comes up with fresh ideas for the media industry crisis, Hipkins suggested, before taking a jibe.
"This was the guy who had a $4b hole in his costings before the last election," Hipkins told Newstalk ZB.
When questioned whether or not Hipkins was right to criticise Luxon for sacking two of his ministers, he said "it happens from time to time."
Hipkins' comments come after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon demoted Disability Issues Minister Penny Simmonds and Broadcasting Minister Melissa Lee on Wednesday.
He said the two ministers' sacking showed Luxon "didn't have particularly good judgement".
Luxon said it was a difficult day for Lee and Simmonds but added: "This is how I roll; this is how I lead."
The Broadcasting and Disability Issues portfolios had become more complex, Luxon said, so he wanted more senior Cabinet members to take them on.
Goldsmith is set to replace Lee as the Broadcasting Minister, while Louise Upson will replace Simmonds in the Disability Issues portfolio.
