Lawyer secures National ticket
NEW Southland candidate Joseph Mooney plans to hit the campaign trail today ahead of this year’s general election.
Last night, the Southland branch of the National Party selected Mr Mooney, a Queenstown lawyer, to replace disgraced MP Hamish Walker.
The meeting took place in Alexandra, which along with Clyde and the Teviot Valley, will become part of the new Southland electorate.
Mr Mooney (41) has 48 days to purge the memory of Mr Walker before the election.
Mr Mooney paid tribute to Mr Walker’s service as Clutha Southland MP.
While, the meeting was open to media, representatives were cautioned that all content could not be reported on, including any speeches, any questions and answers, though the successful candidate would be available to field questions after the announcement was made.
National Party faithful from throughout New Zealand’s largest general electorate descended on Alexandra to make the selection from a field of three vying to represent the traditionally safe heartland National region.
Mr Mooney beat Dunedin restaurant manager Matthew French and journalist Olivia Caldwell for selection.
The decision made, Mr Mooney was allowed to address media on the record and said he was very excited to have been chosen.
‘‘I want to get out there and talk to the people, listen to their stories, and understand what the issues are.
‘‘My wife and I were talking, we were very concerned about the future of the country only a few weeks ago, and we were trying to figure out what we could do.’’
National Party deputy leader Gerry Brownlee said Mr Mooney was an every man.
‘‘If you look at his back story, he is a man from struggle street, and understands the challenges many New Zealanders will be starting to face as the worst consequences of the economic time begin to bite.’’