King Annette: General Debate 
King Annette: General Debate 
[Volume:640;Page:10252] 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of State Services) 
: 
 I move  
That the House take note of miscellaneous business 
. One knows one is on the way out if one is ever given the transport portfolio by the National Party leadership because it has become a geriatric holding pen for either the clapped out or the soon to be chucked out members opposite. Poor old hapless Maurice Williamson. His political career was once a stellar one—he was Parliament’s techno whiz-kid he was a political insider and he was a mover and a shaker full of vim and vigour. He has been reduced to a token seat on the front bench of the Opposition with responsibility for transport which he has to share with the junior MP for Hamilton East whose enthusiasm for the portfolio makes Maurice look like he is actually waiting for God. He has been told that in a National Government transport will have no priority; it will have piles of platitudes and heaps of hypocrisy and Bill English as the Minister of Finance would not give him any money anyway. So what a future to look forward to! It is no wonder poor old Maurice Williamson has lost his mojo. He has thrown in the towel. He is defeated. He is demoralised. He is downcast. Someone said to me today that his tarseal is cracked and he now has a hole in his pot. 
Well I have to say that this is a problem for the wannabe National Government-in-waiting because Maurice Williamson does not have that problem on his own. With 16 months to an election I think it is time that we had a look at the alternative Cabinet. It is time to put the blowtorch on the wannabe Ministers sitting opposite. If the media does not want to scrutinise them yet then I think everybody else in this House should. 
Today I want to give members the first instalment of what will be many instalments in the months ahead. Let us start with the Deputy Prime Minister in waiting Bill English. Well Mr English is a very angry man because he has spent the best years of his political career fighting with his colleagues to stay at the top of the greasy pole. He reminds me of a crocodile—just watching just waiting ready to pounce. It is only a matter of time. His prey dangles just there in front of him; a little slight stumble and he will devour the affable Mr Key. Mr English has some scores to settle. In fact a leadership role in Government would divide the National Party; it would not unite it. 
Then let us turn to Tony Ryall. Unfortunately this is a man riddled with bitterness. He went from being an affable friendly Minister when he was in Government to a festering member on the Opposition benches. Now he is full of hatred and he wants revenge. I am reliably informed that half National’s caucus dislike his political tactics and the other half are scared of his acid tongue and his snitchy behaviour. I have to say that his stewardship of health would be a disaster and the sector is already ridiculing his lack of health knowledge and bad manners. Dr Paul Hutchison is the real deal. But he would not even become an Associate Minister in a National Government if it ever got to power. 
Then we have Nick Smith. He is increasingly operating at the margins. He follows funny causes. He makes wild claims. He frenetically scurries around New Zealand. He would be a real risk in Government. 
Then we have Gerry Brownlee. Gerry Brownlee I have to tell this House is very able. He worked hard as the deputy leader of the Opposition and I believe he was badly treated. He was a good deputy leader in a deeply divided caucus and changing his position has only deepened and shifted the division within the National Party. Gerry Brownlee has an enduring dislike for Bill English. He can see no light at the end of the tunnel for his career. All he can see coming is the one great big train heading straight for him. 
Then we have Murray McCully the Tony Soprano of the National Party. He arranges the political assassinations but he has never successfully carried a portfolio load in Government.