One door closes . . . and Banksie is job-hunting
Disgraced politician’s CV gives him options for the next step
Act MP John Banks will be job-hunting after he leaves Parliament on Friday following last week’s guilty verdict on a charge of filing a false donations declaration for the Auckland mayoral race in 2010.
The 67-year-old told The Diary yesterday he wants to enter the workforce again and be an advocate for adoption and animal welfare.
“I remain strong and optimistic for the future,” Banks said. “After I leave Parliament on Friday I will take the weekend off, and on Monday morning I’m perusing commercial opportunities.”
He would not say what those business prospects may be. His resume is cluttered with job descriptions including salesman, restaurateur, property developer, broadcaster, company director and politician, local and national.
“I also want to continue making a difference with my animal welfare passion,” he told The Diary. “And I would also like to travel promoting the wonderful benefits of inter-country adoption.”
Banks is a defender of animal rights, and says he won’t give up that fight. Last month he called for a ban on the testing of synthetic cannabis on animals. He says animal rights and animal welfare have been a centrepiece of his life. His three children, Natalia, Sergei and Alex, were adopted from a Russian orphanage. Natalia, 27, is a critical-care nurse in Melbourne, Sergei, 23, is a motor mechanic at Giltrap Prestige, and Alexander, 21, is a soldier in the New Zealand Army.
Despite the travails of his court case, Banks says he is a lucky man because of his family and friends.
“I am grateful for the huge outpouring of support and encouragement over the past few days.”
Banks said he had not made a decision about an appeal.