National only got five new MPs in 2002 – Judith Collins, Sandra Goudie, Don Brash John Key and Brian Connell. Three of those five MPs would go on to become National Party Leaders. It was overall a good intake. One, we don’t mention!
Despite being a brand new MP, Judith ran a campaign that exposed Lianne Dalziel as having lied over a leak she denied. It ended with Dalziel’s resignation. What hasn’t generally been reported is that the senior National MPs at the time were quite dismissive of Judith’s campaign against Dalziel, and basically said it was not going to achieve anything. Judith proved them wrong. She had to fight hard and battle to be taken seriously, and proved the doubters wrong.
Judith also achieved in her first term an inquiry into the effect of Agent Orange on NZ Vietnam veterans. This led to an apology and better support for veterans. Not bad for a first term opposition MP.
Judith went on to spend almost 12 years as a Cabinet Minister, where she managed a huge variety of portfolios. They included:
Judith also achieved in her first term an inquiry into the effect of Agent Orange on NZ Vietnam veterans. This led to an apology and better support for veterans. Not bad for a first term opposition MP.
Judith went on to spend almost 12 years as a Cabinet Minister, where she managed a huge variety of portfolios. They included:
- ACC
- Attorney-General
- Corrections
- Defence
- Digitising Government
- Economic Development
- Energy & Resources
- Ethnic Affairs
- Foreign Direct Investment
- GCSB and SIS
- Justice
- Science, Innovation and Technology
- Space
- Police
- Public Service
- Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques
- Revenue
- Serious Fraud Office
- Tertiary Education
- Veteran’s Affairs
In her Innovation portfolio she organised events which had NZ entrepreneurs raving to me about them. These are a bunch of people generally sceptical about government, and Judith brought stakeholders together in a way that added huge value.
Her ministerial offices were always one of the happiest and most loyal in the Beehive. Some Ministers would have tense relationships with their staff, but Judith’s office was always known as very high functioning and happy.
And of course Judith also became National Party Leader in a hospital pass in 2020. No one else could have taken over in that moment of crisis.
The Law Commission’s gain is National’s and Parliament’s loss.
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition.
5 comments:
Vale Judith - That was an unreasonable heading.
Farewell Judith, would have been appropriate to an MP who represented so much and so many.
I went to the search engine to look for an obituary - doesn't 'Vale' before someone's name usually mean that s/he has died? Indeed this reads like an obituary!
She botched Defense and lost all credibility with her scowling matron like attitude to any kiwi who questioned the Manawanui debacle.
In the end she went down that road of the bitter disapproving old Aunty.
I'm sure she will revel in retirement waving her cane at whipper snappers who don't show her what she thinks is enough respect.
I also thought vale from the Latin was mainly used for funerals and in obituaries. A bit of a pompous heading, perhaps?
It is interesting that The Author (of article) once "swung" thru the Halls of Parliament Buildings, had a role with either/either or Political Party (back then only 2, maybe another with friends) was able to 'listen' to the wise words or 'pearls of wisdom', was taken in by the 'beauty' of our Pollie's and what they 'sought to achieve'.
Within the article is " valedictory " (21 of them) of the Portfolio's held by the person, therein mentioned in this article, whilst being a "taxpayer funded" politician - the three things that stand out are -
- as Min. of Police - failed miserably - from then on better known as "crusher Collins".
- Min. of Defense - the "deafening silence" following the release of an interim report into the sinking of a very expensive, floating hotel managed by NZ Navy.
Can I point out, that NZ Army had a Court Martial - regaled in NZ MSM -
why has the NZ Navy (alleged) Courts Martial of Crew on said "hotel" not been broadcast in NZ MSM - suggests "something to hide"??
- the third - failing to bring to account 40 KC's over them stepping outside the boundaries of Law into the domain of Politics with a letter "opposing the Seymour Treaty Principles Bill". Interesting that JC is going to work in an office that, not doubt, has a tea room for said KC's.
Oh well, at least "not lives will be lost, when she gets to sit in the big chair in her new employment".
Oh the other "thing" as Min.of Defense not bringing to "heel" Chief of Staff and her "The NZ Military" will now incorporate matters Maori - that has also "been lost in the willows by our MSM".
As I wrote this, i kept hearing a song, by Queen - "Another one bites the dust, and another one ..."
I can attest that - "No powder was snorted, nothing ingested, injected or smoke", whilst writing comment -
But some days, don't you just ....?
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