National list MP Jackie Blue is to take up a new role as Equal Opportunities Commissioner in June.
Justice Minister Judith Collins said:
“The EEO Commissioner has an important role to play in championing EEO principles, issues and practices in New Zealand as well as appreciating their relationship to social, economic and labour market trends.
“Dr Blue is committed to human rights and equity issues and is currently the Chair of three cross-party groups in Parliament. I’m confident she will be a very capable Commissioner.”
Dr Blue has a Private Members’ Bill in the ballot seeking to protect young women from forced marriages. I hope another MP takes up this issue.
Dr Blue holds a BSc from the University of Auckland and gained her MB ChB from Auckland Medical School in 1983. She came to prominence in the medical sector as a pioneering breast physician and, in 1992, was a founding member of the St Marks Women’s Health Centre. Dr Blue entered Parliament as a list MP in 2005 and has since held a number of roles including membership of the Health Committee (2005 to 2008).
She is currently the Chair of three cross-party groups in Parliament – New Zealand Parliamentarian’s Group on Population and Development, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and Parliamentarians for Global Action. Dr Blue is also a member of the Justice & Electoral Committee and Deputy Chairperson of the Health Committee.
Her resignation from parliament will open the way for another MP.
The next person on National’s list is former MP Paul Quinn. If he chooses not to take up the vacancy the next one of the list if Paul Foster-Bell.
Homepaddock 
I cedrtainly hope that Paul Quinn does not take up the position. His three years in parliament were marked by constant interruptions and belligerence.
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What Neil said.
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What does an EEO Commissioner actually do but whine about how hard done by wimmin are while slurping at the trough?
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