Alastair Thompson
WELLINGTON (Scoop / Pacific Media Watch): Former global aid official David Shearer was today confirmed as Labour’s new leader, replacing Phil Goff who stood down following the November election.
The Mt Albert MP will be joined by Grant Robertson, the MP for Wellington Central, as his deputy.
The pair left today's caucus meeting at Parliament Buildings in Wellington with Shearer waving to the gathered reporters. They were accompanied by Goff, an indication that they had beaten David Cunliffe and Nanaia Mahuta.
The result was confirmed at a press conference soon afterwards.
David Shearer said he would discuss portfolios with his colleagues and that he had not promised anyone positions during campaigning. He paid credit to the outgoing leaders and his opponents for the leadership, saying the MPs had left the caucus “more unified and more energised than when we went in”.
He had secured a mandate for change in the party with his campaign.
“I am a fresh face for Labour and I represent a fresh start for New Zealand. We must grow the membership, we must grow its relevance and we must, must make the Labour Party a big tent not a small one,” he said.
He was very happy with the “progressive” policies Labour took to the election campaign and has a vision of a “clean, green, clever New Zealand”.
He called on Prime Minister John Key to extend the committee on poverty across Parliament.
“I’ve battled poverty all over the world. There is no excuse for poverty like that in New Zealand.”
He said he wanted to make a difference.
“Being the leader of the Labour Party is the best way to make a difference for New Zealanders. Being prime minister is a better way.”
Shearer had been favoured to win the contest since David Parker pulled out of the race and endorsed him. Both contenders went into the meeting ahead of the secret ballot telling reporters they hoped they had the numbers.
Shearer became an MP in the last term of Parliament when he replaced former prime minister Helen Clark in her Mt Albert electorate after her resignation triggered a byelection.
Robertson is also just beginning his second term.
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Pacific Media Centre
