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The
Christchurch Civic Creche Case |
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Mrs Ablett-Kerr,
speaking from Wellington yesterday, said she was in no position to comment on
the speculation she might become a National Party list-only candidate. Her selection could
push current Dunedin-based list MP Katherine Rich down to a position where
there would be little likelihood of her being re-elected from the list,
adding further insult to the supporters of Mrs Rich who are angered by her
demotion from four to 10 in caucus ranking. National is refusing to
confirm or deny the speculation that Mrs Ablett-Kerr will secure one of the
party’s five list-only places, with a spokesman for leader Dr Don Brash
saying the party was not going to “pre-announce its list”. Dunedin’s highest
ranking party official, Southern region deputy chairman Craig Myles, said he
had had no dealings with Mrs Ablett-Kerr at a party level. Dunedin North chairman
Andy Rich, Mrs Rich’s husband, said the speculation about the lawyer’s
candidacy was “news to me”. Mrs Rich refused to
comment except to say there were many good people in Dunedin who would do a
good job in Parliament. “It’s not my role to
comment in relation to the selection of list MPs,” she said. However, party sources
encouraged the ODT to continue its inquiries as they were confident that
behind-the-scenes talks were being held or had been held between party
officials and Mrs Ablett-Kerr. Any link between
National and Mrs Ablett-Kerr is tenuous at best. The closest this newspaper
could find was that Dr Brash and Mrs Rich presented to Parliament a petition
calling for a royal commission of inquiry into the Christchurch Civic Creche
Case at the same time Mrs Ablett-Kerr was seeking special leave from the
Privy Council in London to proceed with an appeal for Peter Ellis, the
convicted creche child molester. Mrs Ablett-Kerr also
debated with Dr Brash on law and order at a public forum in Dunedin last
year, questioning him on the wisdom of National’s tough stance. Possible issues that
could be against the selection of Mrs Ablett-Kerr as a list-only candidate
for National include. — ·
She is a white woman from the South when already there is
Mrs Rich, and new candidates Jaquie Dean, in Otago, and Jo Goodhew, in
Aoraki. ·
National is vulnerable in Auckland, Wellington and
Christchurch and needs high-profile candidates in those cities. ·
National already has six lawyers in its 27-person caucus. ·
Mrs Ablett-Kerr will be seen as soft on law and order
because of the high-profile appeal cases in which she becomes involved, when
National is pressing for a hard-line on crime.
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A national profile because of her formidable reputation in
court. ·
A top debater because of her court experience. ·
Her ability to deal with complex legal legislation. ·
Dr Brash needs more women to counter his demotion of Mrs
Rich and former Maori affairs spokeswoman Georgina Te Heu Heu.
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