‘Crush the other lot’
JUDITH Collins vowed to ‘‘collectively crush the other lot’’ after winning last night’s National Party leadership contest.
Ms Collins (61) won the top job after a contested vote. Gerry Brownlee (64) was elected her deputy.
Ms Collins said she felt ‘‘privileged to have been chosen to lead the National Party at this important time in our history’’.
‘‘My focus as leader will be helping rebuild our communities and dealing with the economic and jobs crisis by getting Kiwis back to work,’’ she said in a statement.
‘‘Only National has the experience and skills to get us through this. We are a strong team and I look forward to forming the next government.’’
Ms Collins addressed media in Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber, along with what looked to be almost every National MP in caucus.
She apologised for ‘‘keeping you up so late’’.
The team would take the fight to Labour during the election, she said.
‘‘I am hoping that the National Party will collectively crush the other lot, come September 19,’’ she said, when asked if she could shake the nickname ‘‘Crusher’’.
Ms Collins said it was important New Zealanders had a choice to lead them through the worst period of economic uncertainty ever.
She said she came from a Labour family and she never thought she would see this day.
Asked how she would unite National, Ms Collins said it was important National had a common goal: To get rid of the current Government.
It was important to give credit where credit was due but ‘‘there is no chance I am going to let
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern get away with any nonsense’’.
She praised her fellow MPs and would not say what happened in caucus. But when pressed, she said: ‘‘We just love talking’’.
She confirmed Paul Goldsmith would be finance spokesman.
Mr Brownlee said he was there to ‘‘support the rest of the team’’.
He said he never wanted to be the leader of the National Party.
The caucus meeting to decide who replaced Todd Muller started at 7pm and applause could be heard coming from the meeting about 8.30pm.
There were reports of a contest for the leadership. Rodney MP Mark Mitchell was understood to be considering a tilt, as was Hutt South MP Chris
Bishop.
Ms Collins said she ‘‘may have had some advance warning’’ that Mr Muller was going to step down.
‘‘I was devastated for Todd Muller and his family’’.
She said when Mr Muller was able to come back, he would be an important part of the National team.
Asked about a reshuffle, Ms Collins said there will need to be some movement — but not much.
‘‘We are not that many weeks out from an election. It’s important that we send some strong messages out to our base,’’ she said.
That base has been a bit ‘‘discombobulated’’.
She was not expecting anyone to change their minds about retiring from politics — including Paula Bennett.
Asked what she had over Ms Ardern, Ms Collins said: ‘‘Experience, toughness and the ability to make tough decisions’’.
She said caucus decisions would stand — caucus has already decided not to join with NZ First.
‘‘We’re a serious party, with serious policies,’’ she said. — The New Zealand Herald
❛ . . . there is no chance I am going to let Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern get away with
any nonsense