Pettis Jill: General Debate 
Pettis Jill: General Debate 
[Volume:623;Page:18686] 
JILL PETTIS (Labour—Whanganui) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to join the debate today because some very interesting dynamics have gone on in the House this afternoon. Mr English was the first speaker for the National Party today and it was very interesting to watch the little joy club that assembled around him as he got up to make his contribution. 
Darren Hughes 
: He’s doing the numbers. 
JILL PETTIS 
: He is doing the numbers. I tell those who did not bother to stay that there were quite a few members down here in the House. Quite a few National members were here supporting Mr English and clapping enthusiastically. So I tell those National Party members— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Don will be gone by Sunday lunchtime. 
JILL PETTIS 
: Yes Don Brash will be gone by Sunday lunchtime let alone by any other lunchtime after the next general election. I tell those members of the National Party who did not come down to the House that the numbers are gathering. So although we know that the National Party is riven with factionalism we can see that one faction is gaining momentum. I even saw one National member go over and very humbly fill the member’s glass with water. My grandmother would have said: “Don’t be a crawler.”—but never mind. I have a friendly warning for National Party: I would keep my eyes and ears open because the network is building. 
I want to comment briefly on Lindsay Tisch’s statement which was almost pyromanic in its content in relation to rural fire engines. I have to disabuse Mr Tisch of any idea he has that rural fire stations will be downgraded. Talk about ambulance-chasing! He is not ambulance-chasing but he is like habitual pyromaniacs who follow fire engines around the country and just get in the way. I urge Mr Tisch not to get in the way. This matter is about reviewing the equipment that rural fire stations require. I have a number of rural fire stations in my electorate and we are making sure that they have the best equipment possible. So the member should stop ambulance-chasing and shroud-waving because that is all it is. 
I assume that Mr Brash is listening to the wireless and is very aware that the debate this afternoon is about his performance in the House or lack of it. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: He’s hiding behind the bench. 
JILL PETTIS 
: I am sure he is hiding behind the bench. He is a mere shadow of his former self. He is not exhibiting the characteristics of a leader. A leader is “up there at ‘em” is in the front firing on all cylinders and has the caucus behind him or her. Well I tell Mr Brash that he should not have the caucus behind him too much or if he does to put on a flak jacket because the need for it is growing. Mr Brash’s performance since the House resumed this year has been absolutely abysmal. He has asked only one primary question and that is not the sign of a leader who is on the way who is strong and masterful and who is exhibiting the characteristics of leadership. It shows us what a paucity of support there is for the National Party out there in the wider electorate in that the party had to go as far as Switzerland to get somebody to speak positively about Mr Brash in his former employment. 
Darren Hughes 
: She’s probably staying in John Key’s holiday home. 
JILL PETTIS 
: Yes she is probably staying in John Key’s holiday home— 
John Key 
: Which one? 
JILL PETTIS 
: In the Alps. Fancy having to go all the way to Switzerland to get somebody to speak publicly in favour of or supportively about Don Brash! That speaks volumes. 
I have to tell other speakers today about the statistics with regard to our police personnel numbers. Those numbers are the highest they have been in living memory. More than 1000 additional staff have been allocated since this Government came to power in 1999 and an extra $200 million has been allocated to the police budget. That is absolutely unprecedented and it is why the crime rate is at the lowest it has been in the last 21 years— 
Darren Hughes 
: How long? 
JILL PETTIS 
: For 21 years. And the road toll is the lowest since the 1960s. Significant attitudinal and behavioural changes are taking place in this country and things that were previously socially acceptable are now no longer so. Drink-driving and driving at excessive and dangerous speeds on the roads are now no longer socially acceptable. People want the police on our roads in order to keep us safe. Our police force is multi-talented and multi-functional and that is why the crime rate is so low. 
The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.