New Zealand Parliamentary Debate

General Debate [4437]

I am shocked by New Zealand First, because I thought it had a concern about rates and would want to debate the issue in the Finance and Expenditure Committee. But, no, it sold out for the baubles of office. That is what New Zealand First has done.

Hon PAUL SWAIN( Labour-Rimutaka):

What a disappointing contribution that was from the leader of ACT. I thought I heard him say, when he was off around the country dancing with the stars, that he would be kinder and gentler. I think those were the words he said. I thought he said he had had a bit of a change of heart, having gone out and mixed with some real people. What a shame we heard about that. There is an old expression about the pot calling the kettle black. Mr Hide is always going on about people who use taxpayers' money for purposes different from those it is supposed to be used for. Well, I wonder who paid the air fares while Mr Hide was running up and down the country dancing with the stars. I wonder whether Mr Hide would tell Parliament who paid for that. When Mr Hide was having days away dancing with the stars, I wonder who paid for that. I bet it was the taxpayer. That is an example of the old saying of the pot calling the kettle black.

Of course, the National Party should also listen to that old saying. It has been going on about deals done and services rendered that are not declared. I remember the Exclusive Brethren at the last election rendering services to the National Party, but did the National Party declare these services? No, it did not. In fact, through most of the election campaign National members denied the services even existed. Finally, they said they did remember them-that they did know about them. Lo and behold, when we look at the returns, we do not see Exclusive Brethren, services rendered on National's election returns. Oh, no! So I think the old expression about the pot calling the kettle black is something that both ACT and National members in this House should remember.

One of the big things about a democracy such as we have in New Zealand is that it needs a very strong, healthy Opposition. Unfortunately, New Zealand has the National Party in Opposition. An Opposition always needs a strong leader. Unfortunately, Don Brash is the current leader of the National Party. I wonder how many National Party members actually believe that Don Brash will lead them into the next election. I wonder how many of them genuinely believe it. I think most of them do not, and the few that do simply are not listening to what the rest of New Zealand is saying. There was a time when the National Party was a strong party-a party of principle, philosophy, and policy-and had strong leaders, such as Rob Muldoon, Keith Holyoake, and Jim Bolger. They were strong leaders. I did not agree with virtually anything any of them ever said, but they were strong leaders and commanded respect in New Zealand. What about Don Brash? Can members pick out the odd member from this lot: Rob Muldoon, Keith Holyoake, Jim Bolger, Don Brash? Well, one would have to say it was Don Brash. The point is that he will not be the leader of the National Party as it goes into the next election. There is no question about that.

Last week the National Party had its showcase-its national conference-at which its leader was supposed to outline leadership and policy. Instead, we got a whole pile of waffle from him. He did not give out one new policy thought or idea. He said he was planning to be the next Prime Minister, leading a National Government-end of story. I wonder how many leaders who are actually leaders have to say that. Can members hear Richie McCaw saying that? Richie McCaw would never say: Look at me, look at me- I'm the real leader. Don't worry, I'm the real leader-end of story. Would we ever hear Helen Clark saying that? Of course we would not. The reason we would not hear Richie McCaw and Helen Clark saying that is that they are real leaders. They do not have to go around telling everybody that they are leaders and that they will be leaders