Dunedin list MP Michael Woodhouse is National’s new senior Whip and Taupo MP Louise Upston is the new Junior Whip.
This makes Michael the highest ranked National MP ever to come from Dunedin.
There have been three previous National Party MPs in the city - the late Sir James Barnes served two terms from the snap 1951 election until 1957, the late Richard Walls served one term in 1975-78, and Katherine Rich was a list MP from 1999 until 2008 when she retired from politics.
Both Michael and Louise entered parliament in 2008.
Lockwood Smith has been elected unopposed as Speaker.
He is a candidate for the best Speaker in recent years, having done a lot to raise the standard of behaviour in parliament.
Some of his National party colleagues might think he went too far in holding ministers to account in a far stricter fashion than Labour ministers were held in the previous governments.
I’d go further than that Ele; Lockwood Smith is the best Speaker in the time that I have had an interest in politics; which dates back more than 40 years. He took to the role like a duck to water, and has done a lot to repair the damage done to the reputation and integrity of the House over the Hunt/Wilson speakerships.
I agree with Inv2 re Lockwood Smith. I understand that Takapau man Sir Richard Harrison was an excellent speaker but he did not have the flair or people skills that lockwood Smith displays.
Yes. I was dubious about the appointment at first but Lockie rules. He is firm, fair and funny. Three out of three isn’t bad.