'Ego-driven' changes in Australian politics stuns closest ally

The political merry-go-round in Australian politics has left the country's closest ally dumbfounded.

New Zealand's colourful Foreign Minister Winston Peters warned Canberra-Wellington relations may be shaken by Angus Taylor's ousting of Liberal leader Sussan Ley and a fresh shadow cabinet reshuffle.

"Can I just say, as an outsider, I'm aghast," he told AAP.

READ MORE: Opposition leader Angus Taylor unveils his new shadow ministry

"The years of stability, first of Hawke and then Howard, those years of civility have been very critical for Australia's success.

"The churn now really is inexcusable, and the churn both in the Labor and the Liberal Party, has been massive.

"In the end, you've got to stand back and say to those parties ... what is going on with you when you think that personal ego is the most important thing to elevation?"

Peters highlighted the Coalition's chopping and changing of shadow foreign ministers, with the newly appointed Liberal MP Ted O'Brien following Michaelia Cash, David Coleman, Simon Birmingham and Marise Payne, who have held the role for the past four years.

In comparison, Labor's Penny Wong has held the job of foreign minister since her party's election victory in May 2022.

Maintaining close bilateral relations was hampered by the reshuffling of jobs in Australian politics, says Peters.

"It makes your job harder because you keep on getting new leaders," he said.

Jokingly, the veteran New Zealand politician said that forging new relations with O'Brien may not be required.

"The way the polls are going, maybe not."

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