Otago Daily Times
July 10 2003
Enterprising MP given chance to shine
by Dene MacKenzie
National Party list MP Katherine
Rich, of Dunedin, has proved an impressive operator, writes Political Editor Dene
MacKenzie, and has been given an opportunity to star
at the party's annual conference tomorrow.
National Party list MP Katherine Rich, of
Mrs Rich will present the party's welfare discussion paper on the main floor of
the party's annual conference in
It seems a long time since Mrs Rich first stood as a candidate in 1999 and was
asked by a
Former prime minister Jenny Shipley took Mrs Rich
under her wing in the early stages of campaigning and former president John
Slater was also a keen advocate of promoting Mrs Rich high enough on the list
to ensure
Both those leaders have since left and Mrs Rich proved to be her own woman by
refusing to publicly back leader Bill English when former Reserve Bank governor
and new list MP Don Brash was thought to be making a run for the top job. Mrs
Rich and Dr Brash have since worked closely on several issues and are keen
supporters of the other.
It seems no coincidence that Mrs Shipley first made her name in the party as
the Opposition spokeswoman on welfare, a topic being actively pursued now by
Mrs Rich.
While there has been talk about which man is available to lead the National
Party in the future, political pundits are forgetting women are also included
in the caucus and Mrs Rich, through her early opportunity of high profile in
welfare and broadcasting, has made the best possible start.
She has tackled major issues, and won, against Social Services and Employment
Minister Steve Maharey - not only on social welfare
but also on broadcasting, also Mr Maharey's
portfolio. The Maori broadcasting funding fiasco has given Mrs Rich a higher
profile and more opportunities of attack than she would have ever dreamed
possible.
Contrast her luck - because in part it is luck that makes or breaks a
politician's career - with the other rising star, Dr Brash.
In combining with Mrs Rich to petition for a pardon for convicted paedophile Peter
Ellis, Dr Brash is showing he has a more human side than previously displayed
as a central banker.
His chance to shine at the party conference comes at the "death slot"
of
Mrs Rich has proved an impressive operator and her first occasion on the main
conference floor should prove a revelation for some northern delegates.
The conference will signal a major change in the way the party operates. Three
months ago, the party hierarchy met in
President Judy Kirk says policy discussions will be a priority at the weekend
and delegates must ensure the appropriate consultation process occurs on
discussions and policy papers.
For the first time, delegates will be electing the party's new board of
directors. In the past, divisional chairmen and women, their deputies and other
elected party members and MPs have made up the governing council. A president
has been elected at the conference. Sometimes, that presidential election has
taken the focus of delegates away from the business of winning elections.
Now, seven members of the party will be elected directors and they will be
joined by the party leader and one other MP. Those nine members will elect the
president.
The Southern division has three nominees for the board: former Southland MPs
Jeff Grant and Eric Roy and
The conference ends on Sunday afternoon.