Chlöe Swarbrick, Patrick Gower butt heads over cabinet leak

Patrick Gower and Chlöe Swarbrick had a feisty discussion on The Project over proposed cannabis reform.

The Green MP was appearing on the show on Monday to discuss a leaked cabinet paper that revealed the circumstances for the referendum.

But she wouldn't be drawn into speculation about where it came from.

"[Cabinet leaks] don't come along very often and when they do it's only because someone who's seen them is absolutely filthy with what's going on, is it New Zealand First who leaked it, or is it you guys?" Gower said.

"Paddy I can guarantee you that it wasn't us, but I'm not focused on speculating about that, what I am focused on is delivering here," Swarbrick replied.

Gower said that confirmed it was New Zealand First that leaked the document, before Swarbrick changed the subject to point out an error in the interview's introduction.

"I also just want to actually call you out on the point in your intro, about how we're advocating for liberalisation, that's absolutely not the case.

"What we're advocating for here is a sense of control through regulation."

Gower said he did not know the difference, but apologised anyway.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shot down rumours about how the paper was leaked during her post-Cabinet press conference on Monday.

She said she did not believe the leak had come from her caucus, and that papers go further than just Cabinet Ministers during the drafting process.

"My message to Cabinet today was of course my expectation is that they maintain confidentiality, but all officers must equally maintain that confidentiality."

Newshub.