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Christopher Luxon, the man who is often seen as a future leader of the National Party and a possible prime minister, has delivered his first speech in Parliament defending his faith, celebrating his botanical constituency and extolling the virtue of center-right political beliefs.
Luxon, 50, who was Air New Zealand’s chief executive officer from 2012 to 2019, was elected to Parliament by Auckland’s botanical electorate in 2020.
Previously, he worked for the company’s international business for a short stint after a long stint for global consumer goods giant Unilever, including 16 years working abroad.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Christopher Luxon gives his inaugural address in the debating chamber of the House of Representatives.
There has been significant focus in some parts of the media, and private comments within the halls of Parliament and among some of his colleagues in the National party, around the Evangelical Protestant Christian faith of Luxon, a subject for which he addressed. to use part of your 15-minute speech to confront head-on.
“It seems that it has become acceptable to stereotype those who have a Christian faith in public life as ‘extreme’, so I’ll talk a bit about my Christian faith. It has anchored me, given my life purpose and shaped my values, and has put me in the context of something bigger than myself, ”he told Parliament.
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Radio Tarana
Newly elected botany deputy Christopher Luxon speaks with Radio Tarana’s Vandhna Bhan a day after winning his seat on a National Party ballot.
Luxon later stated that Jesus does not “judge, discriminate, or reject people.”
“A person should not be chosen for his faith nor should he be rejected by it. Democracy thrives on diverse thinking and different worldviews, ”Luxon said.
“My faith is personal to me. It is not in itself a political agenda ”.
Botany’s new deputy also used the cleanly delivered speech to lean on his business experience and as a director of the national airline as credentials of his ability to get things done.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
“Democracy thrives on diverse thinking and different worldviews,” Luxon said.
“I understand, of course, that a country is not a company. However, New Zealanders expect the government to get things done. It is not enough to say that you are going to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but you will not … I entered politics because I want to make a difference, solve problems and get things done ”.
Luxon also delivered a clear message, and well suited for retail politics, on the values of national parties, “of freedom and choice, rights and responsibilities, limited but better government, competitive enterprise, and equal opportunity and citizenship.”
Luxon has come to Parliament with great expectations behind him. After winning the National Party shortlist for Botany’s seat, after disgraced former National Party MP Jami-Lee Ross was expelled from the party, he has been constantly talked about as a possible National Party leader, or even first. minister, despite his lack of political experience.
He is said to have the backing of former National Party leader John Key and has a lot of support among the Auckland business community.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Penny Simmonds delivers her inaugural address in the House.
A teetotaler who has spoken publicly about a drinking problem early in his career has kept a low profile since entering Parliament. He is currently the spokesperson for the National Party for Local Government.
Penny Simmonds, who bucked the Labor red tide trend in the election by winning the Invercargill seat for National following the resignation of former MP Sarah Dowie, also delivered a keynote address.
Simmonds was the CEO of the South Invercargill Institute of Technology for 23 years and introduced its zero fee policy, which once graced the playing fields of Southland Rugby Union.
“I come to the role with the experiences of a farmer’s daughter and a farmer’s wife, a mother and a grandmother, a pedagogue and a soldier for several years in the Territories, a businesswoman, a community leader and an athlete.” Simmonds said. .
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
“We are a nation of adventurers, risk takers, nation builders, dreamers and doers,” said Joseph Mooney during his keynote address.
She was followed by the new Southland MP, attorney Joseph Mooney, 41, who also delivered a creative and moving speech.
“We are a nation of adventurers, risk takers, nation builders, dreamers and doers, people who have collectively chosen to make our home under the roof of the southern skies and their constellation of stars,” he said.
“We all come with that adventurous DNA, whether it dates back hundreds of years to our ancestors, or whether we personally made that journey to travel to these islands ourselves,” Mooney said.
