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First-time MP Brooke van Velden is the deputy leader of the ACT party at just 27 years old.
But the rookie MP has already had a lot of experience in the halls of Parliament.
He worked behind the scenes to get the End of Life Choice Law made public.
CHRISTEL YARDLEY / Things
The deputy leader of the event, Brooke van Velden, at the election after the party party in the Auckland Viaduct basin.
Van Velden had the opportunity to see the legislation pass from its first reading to the referendum.
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CHRISTEL YARDLEY / Things
Acting party leader David Seymour (right) with some of his new MPs on election night
“He certainly gave me a taste. It is not glamorous, there are long hours and hard work, but it is worth making policies to improve people’s lives, ”he said.
During her work on the bill, she was able to tour the motu, hearing stories of those who had seen a loved one die in pain.
Van Velden was initially inspired to work on the bill through ideology – his liberal views and beliefs about a person’s right to make decisions about their own body.
But it quickly got personal.
“There are some stories that will stay with me forever. It made me firmly believe that what I was doing was the right thing to do. “
Greg Bowker / Getty Images
ACT Party Leader David Seymour arrives by boat celebrating with his party as the results roll in.
She seemed a bit embarrassed when asked about her promotion to deputy leader, and gave the somewhat predictable and confident answer: “It’s wonderful to know that you have the backing of the board and the leadership.”
She said there was nothing resembling a training course that she and the other eight MPs from the Act could have done to prepare for Parliament.
“But I certainly am confident in your abilities. I know they are committed to the values of Act Party. ”
The result of the 2020 elections is the best in the history of the Act Party. Only Richard Prebble’s performance in 2002, when he brought nine MPs to Parliament, is close.
CHRISTEL YARDLEY / Things
The leader of the event, David Seymour, arrived by boat to receive the faithful of his party at the Auckland Viaduct Harbor.
Seymour spoke to party worshipers at the post-election party at a bar in the Auckland Viaduct basin, surrounded by his new MPs.
He said his new MPs would oppose the legislation, but would also come up with new ideas.
Seymour spoke of Covid-19 and the damage it had caused to the economy.
“We can’t lock ourselves in and keep borrowing to wall up the cracks.”
He said New Zealand needed to grow its economy.
“We need to build a country where every New Zealander has the opportunity to own their own land.”
He also spoke of the importance of freedom of expression and the rights of a person to have autonomy over their own body.
“Because a free society is a beautiful society.”
