Potshots at new Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern from the New South Wales Premier have sparked an internal spat across the Tasman with comments labelled "snarky and graceless".
NSW opposition leader Luke Foley attacked a post on social media made by the Premier Gladys Berejiklian minutes after Labour was announced as the new Government.
Instead of the traditional congratulations, Berejiklian invited New Zealanders to move to NSW to experience "great infrastructure" and a "growing economy".
Prime Minister elect Jacinda Ardern, flanked by Kelvin Davis and Grant Robertson, during her press conference. Photo / Mark Mitchell
At a press conference Foley described the comments as "graceless and snarky" and congratulated Ardern - adding she was very welcome in NSW.
"I would say to Jacinda congratulations, a 37-year-old female Prime Minister, what a terrific thing.
"So many Kiwi expats would be delighted to see you visit here so don't let the Premier's comments affect you in any way - and I'm sure you wont."
He sent another barbed comment to the Premier who took over after former Premier Mike Baird resigned saying: "I'm sure New Zealanders would listen to their elected Prime Minister rather than an un-elected Premier."
The spat comes after another stoush in August when Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said she would find it hard to work with a Labour-led government.
Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has congratulated Prime Minister elect, Jacinda Ardern. Photo / AP
Her comments came after Labour MP Chris Hipkins submitted questions about New Zealand citizenship.
The questions paved the way for the Australian opposition to establish deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was a dual citizen - and potentially ineligible to sit in parliament.
At the time Bishop noted that "New Zealand is facing an election" and "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".
But this week Bishop congratulated Ardern and said the issue had been resolved.
"We have a very strong and deep relationship with New Zealand and I'm looking forward to working with the new government," Bishop said.
When asked if she could trust Ardern, Bishop said that matter had been dealt with.
