Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Tracey McLellan to wrap this week’s political stories. 

They discussed Phase 1 of the Covid Inquiry and Kiwis’ shaken trust in the government, whether Labour will commit to a capital gains tax as they head into their party conference this weekend, and Matt Doocey touched on the recently revealed texts he received from Mike King.  

The Mental Health Minister says he didn't reply to the texts after King’s controversial comments around alcohol because he didn't want to.  

The I Am Hope founder told Newstalk ZB last month that alcohol is the solution for mental health issues, until a better solution is found. 

Minister Matt Doocey was among those to publicly reject the claim.  

King, who receives $24 million in government funding for his mental health charity, sent Doocey a 500 word text attempting to justify his claim. 

Doocey told John MacDonald he scanned the message, but doesn't reply to every text he gets, and had already stated his position. 

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