Brownlee Gerry: General Debate 
Brownlee Gerry: General Debate 
[Volume:668;Page:15168] 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 I move  
That the House take note of miscellaneous business 
. I am able to confirm to the House today that the Labour Party is a rift of splits and divisions and that the statements made at the time that the Hon Chris Carter exited the party were absolutely correct. There has been a lot of speculation about that magic number 17. Who were the 17 people signed up ready to go wanting to give Phil Goff the shove? It has been a mystery up until now. We knew that Charles Chauvel was there and we knew that George Hawkins was there but we had an amazing revelation last night in the Chamber. When the Labour Party was voting on the Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill it managed to split its vote into four different categories—those who were in favour those who were against those who were abstaining and those who just did not know what to do. The interesting thing is that the Noes the abstentions and the “I don’t know what to do’s” come to 17. 
One would think that on a bill such as the Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill which is designed to make sure this is a very successful event for New Zealand the Labour members who have been through contortions at the Government Administration Committee for months would have followed the advice of Trevor Mallard—a major factional leader—and said to him: “We’re with you Trevor.” But no they did not do that. They split themselves into all sorts of factional camps. 
In just 2 short weeks the Labour Party has voted against the success of  
The 
Hobbit 
 and against the success of the Rugby World Cup. Who are these people? It will not come as any surprise that Brendon Burns is in that camp. It will not come as any surprise that Lianne Dalziel and Ruth Dyson are in that camp. Ruth Dyson may well be the leader of that camp now; I am not sure. There is also the Hon Nanaia Mahuta. There is also the Hon—no he is not—there is also Ross Robertson. That is a true shock to me. That man regularly comes to Parliament adorned in all sorts of clothing one of which he wears proudly is the blazer belonging to the Parliamentary Rugby Team yet he is voting against the bill. It is a factional decision on his part but I suspect it is also about securing his future. There is also William Sio which is no surprise and David Shearer which is no surprise although how disappointing for Mr Goff that a man he has been so close to has lost his confidence. Then of course there is Maryan Street. She is also tipped to be deputy to Ruth Dyson in this new faction. 
But there are a couple of names here that are very surprising. Firstly there is the Hon Damien O’Connor. That is a true surprise but here is the biggie: Clayton Cosgrove. Clayton Cosgrove was not a yes or a no he was an abstention. Actually he may ruin my theory because I suspect that he is out there wanting to set up his own faction and he would be a faction of one. 
There are two other interesting names. One is Lynne Pillay. I suspect that she just lost her way to the Chamber which would be nothing new. Then finally we have Shane Jones. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: How did he vote? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: He did not vote at all. 
Hon Tau Henare 
: He wants to be the video ref! 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: No I think Shane Jones was out there probably consulting the Ayes he probably consulted the Noes went off to have a talk to the abstainers and then just got lost on the way to the Chamber. He has no direction whatsoever. 
So there we have it: the 17 fingered by Chris Carter. These are the people who are all signed up and all set to go to say goodbye to Mr Goff. It is no surprise. Mr Goff has spent most of the last 6 months trying to find out what John Key’s appointments were around the country in order that he might turn up on those occasions to get a photograph opportunity with the Prime Minister. It is great to be able to confirm to the House that these splits these divisions and these factions are live and well in the Labour Party.