Time flies in Parliament

The 47th Parliament is about to close its doors, and the corridors are now officially empty of MPs.  The next time the House meets will be after the election, and I have no doubt that it will look very different to what it does now. 

There are a few traditions that are observed in the closing stages of Parliament, including the valedictory speeches that are given by retiring MPs. 

I am constantly amazed at how quickly the time for valedictory speeches comes around each term.  For me, it seems like only yesterday that I made my maiden speech in 1997.  There is a kind of understanding amongst all MPs that we should support each other during these special moments.  After all, we understand what life is really like in public office. 

Informal estimates put the average time an MP stays in Parliament at around 10 years.  This term there are some retiring MPs who have been around for much longer than the average.  We have said farewell to two great National MPs �V Roger Sowry and Dr Lynda Scott, as well as Parliament's longest serving representative, Richard Prebble, and Labour's Janet Mackey. 

I have had the pleasure of working with Janet Mackey on the finance and expenditure select committee, and spent time with her on an exchange trip to Australia.  She is witty, down to earth and stands out for deciding that she has no ambition for a higher office in Government and is happy to be the electorate MP for East Coast.   

Richard Prebble is a seasoned politician who was elected to Parliament 30 years ago as MP for Auckland Central, and has ended his career as the former leader of the Act Party.  MPs with his experience are becoming few and far between.  His in-depth knowledge of standing orders and political processes, as well as his wit, will be missed.   

Dr Lynda Scott, National's hardworking and effective former Health spokeswoman and current Kaikoura MP, is stepping down to head back into medicine. 

Roger Sowry is also leaving.  His departure marks the end of a 15-year political career that has seen him hold just about every job in Parliament.  It is a tribute to the contribution that he's made that the public galleries were packed to hear his valedictory speech. 

He also demonstrated the kind of person he is when he thanked and remembered just about every member of staff and electorate team member that has worked for him over the years.

Roger's departure also marks the end of the Sweet and Sowry Boulevard.  For a couple of years Roger and I have been neighbours in Parliament House, and we decided to rename our part of the corridor as the Sweet and Sowry Boulevard.  I guess I'm the Sweet and he's the Sowry!  

Sitting in Parliament listening to the speeches, I was left wondering where the time has gone.  I must enjoy my role as an MP because time seems to fly by �V the old Chinese saying that a day crawls by like a year when one isn't enjoying oneself rings true.   

One of the highlights of the past three years has been how quickly Auckland Central has embraced me.  When constituents come into my electorate office with questions on housing, immigration and employment, most of them naturally assume that I have been in Auckland for years. 

As we head further into the election campaign, I am looking forward to getting back out on the streets and meeting as many people as I can and asking them to give National their party vote.  Pounding the streets of Auckland Central is one of the best ways I can think of spending a day! 

Who dunnit?

Some of you may have noticed hoardings going up the weekend before the Prime Minister's belated confirmation of this year's general Election Day on the 17th of September. The electorate law requirement is that hoardings can go up within 2 months of Election Day. Since September 24th is the latest day that an election can be held, the National Auckland Central ��early birds team' put up hoardings on the first possible day. The early birds were duly rewarded by not getting wet. When our three hoarding teams finished just before lunchtime, the sky opened up and poured.  

Surprise, surprise, after just two weeks, on three of the public sites, we are the only party with hoardings still standing. A phone call from an Auckland City Council officer solved the mystery. We were told that "someone" complained that National was putting up hoardings in unauthorised areas and "please remove it". He was told that these sites were duly authorised by the Council. A red face officer went to check and confirmed that indeed National was right.  Well, Labour and others were caught napping. But I wonder who complained about National's hoardings? 

I have forewarned the Auckland Central hoarding team that our hoardings will be targeted at this election because it is going to be a tight race. Unfortunately some parties' supporters will resort to vandalism rather than wining by arguments and putting forward good policies. As predicted, our hoardings were indeed targeted. It is telling to note that on those sites where National's hoardings are next to Labour and Progressive, the latter two remain vandalism free. I wonder who dunnit? 

It is great to have a hoarding team who have a great sense of humour. They reckon their carpentry skills will be greatly enhanced after the election also good team and character building.  

Perhaps you can offer us some clues as to who dunnit?!!!