Luxon outlines top three priorities

THERE was barely standing room when National Party leaders Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis spoke in Alexandra yesterday.

Mr Luxon’s assertion that spending $16 billion to build a storage dam at Lake Onslow, above Millers Flat, was an ‘‘insane idea’’ drew applause as did many of his and deputy leader Nicola Willis’ comments on sex education in schools, leaner government and cracking down on crime.

After assuring the audience of more than 300 it really was him speaking and not an AI version Mr Luxon said he would use his corporate background to solve the country’s problem and use leadership to sort things out.

Mr Luxon said he might be new to politics but he had spent all his life turning things around, sorting things out and solving problems.

His background was in getting things done through, with and for people, he said.

National had three priorities — to fix the economy, restore law and order along with personal responsibility and deliver better health and education, he said.

An audience member questioned what National was going to do to engage the younger generations in politics.

‘‘If I look around this room I see a lot of wise people, and I mean that with a lot of respect, but what I don’t see is young people,’’ the audience member said.

Mr Luxon acknowledged holding a meeting at 11.30am may not have suited young working people.

National had to make sure New Zealand was a place where young people believed they could start a business and be supported, take a risk and make something happen, rather than think there were more opportunities in Australia, he said.

Gerry Eckhoff, a retired farmer, former Otago Regional Council member and former Act New Zealand MP, was concerned about Ma¯ori names for government agencies, which clearly resonated with the audience.

‘‘Can you confirm for us today that New Zealand will remain with that name? I don’t care if I get called racist and all that sort of thing.

‘‘All I want, and I suspect most people here want is the opportunity if we are going to have change, just like John Key did with the flag, we are going to have change, fine, but at least you must consult us first.

‘‘That is all I ask from our NationalAct, or even ActNational government.,’’ he said to laughter from the audience.

‘‘If you seriously want to change the government you’ve got to party vote National,’’ Mr Luxon was quick to say.

Mr Luxon said he was not a fan of changing the country’s name but if it did it would be through referendum.

Southland MP Joseph Mooney and National’s Waitaki candidate Miles Anderson were both at the meeting.