Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has dodged a question of whether she trusts Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern following their tense relationship that begun over Australia's citizenship controversy.
Ms Bishop lashed out at Ms Ardern in August, stating she would find it hard to work with a New Zealand Labour Government should it win the election as the Foreign Minister accused the party of conspiring to undermine her government.
Ms Bishop said Australia's Labor opposition had used its New Zealand counterparts to raise questions about Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's Kiwi citizenship in the New Zealand parliament.
"Should there be a change of government, I would find it very hard to build trust with those involved in allegations designed to undermine the government of Australia," Ms Bishop stated in August.
Following NZ First leader Winston Peters' decision to form a coalition government with Labour, ending nine years of National rule, Ms Bishop congratulated Ms Ardern and was quickly asked if she could now trust her.
However, Ms Bishop avoided giving a yes or no answer.
"The fact is, Ms Ardern gave an explanation a couple of months ago about the behaviour of a New Zealand member of the Labour Party and she said at the time his conduct was wrong, it was unacceptable, it should never of happened and that he shouldn't of become involved," Ms Bishop said.
"I accepted her explanation and I agree with her absolutely."
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