Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has lost control of his Government, following fresh fractures within the coalition over climate policy and international agreements.

Hipkins said tensions within the coalition had intensified only days after disagreements over the India free trade agreement, with new revelations about New Zealand’s position on fossil fuels.

“Just days after disagreements within the coalition over the India Free Trade Agreement, New Zealanders have learned senior minister Shane Jones has unilaterally stopped New Zealand from signing an agreement aimed at phasing out fossil fuels,” Hipkins said.

He said the Prime Minister had confirmed he was not briefed on Jones’ decision, which was made while attending an international climate conference in Brazil.

“The Prime Minister said this morning he hadn’t been briefed on a decision made by Shane Jones to block joining the agreement, showing again how his coalition partners are running rings around him,” Hipkins said.

He said the decision was significant and showed ministers were acting independently of Cabinet.

“Shane Jones’ decision to reject the fossil fuel phase out agreement was not a minor procedural issue. It contradicts New Zealand’s longstanding international position on fossil fuels and sends a clear signal ministers are now freelancing,” he said.

Hipkins said the move sent a damaging message internationally about New Zealand’s commitment to climate action.

“New Zealand’s commitment to tackling climate change lies in tatters. Almost all meaningful measures to accelerate our emissions reduction have been abandoned and now ministers are declaring to the world that we have given up,” he said.

He also pointed to public disagreements between coalition partners over the India free trade agreement as further evidence of instability.

“Christopher Luxon’s inability to lead his own Government has been laid bare by the public breakdown over the India FTA, with coalition partners openly contradicting one another on one of New Zealand’s most significant relationships,” Hipkins said.

He said the dispute between Winston Peters and the Prime Minister had raised serious questions about trust within the Government.

“Winston Peters and Christopher Luxon are basically on record calling each other liars. If they don’t believe each other, why should the public believe either of them,” he said.

Hipkins said New Zealand could not afford ongoing instability.

“New Zealand cannot afford another three years of this chaotic Government or Christopher Luxon’s lacking leadership,” he said.