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An election will be held in New Zealand on 19 September this year.
Current standings:
The Opposition has had two leadership changes this year - most recently Judith Collins was elected the Nationals leader - described as the NZ version of the 'Iron Lady', contrasting with the saintly and ever-popular Jacinta Ardern.
A couple of interesting events over the past week.
First:
On Tuesday, Ms Collins asked National MP Andrew Falloon to resign after it was revealed he had sent explicit pictures to at least one young woman.
According to Stuff.co.nz, in an alcohol fuelled incident, the 37-year-old politician sent at least one indecent picture – not believed to be of himself – to a woman over the age of 18. Her parents had alerted the Prime Minister’s office.
Mr Falloon had announced on Monday his intention to resign at the election, citing health reasons. However Ms Collins told NZ media that while she was concerned for his mental health, she believed it was better for everyone if he left parliament immediately.
Oh, good grief.
Then, not to be outdone:
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sacked her Workplace Relations Minister over revelations of an inappropriate affair with one of his members of staff.
Iain Lees-Galloway, who is married with three children, has quit his ministerial role with immediate effect and will resign as an MP at the September election.
Mr Lees-Galloway, 41, said in a statement he had “acted completely inappropriately in my position and cannot continue as a Minister”. Ditto.
Sports Bet has Labor as very hot favourites, which is what you'd expect, given Ardern's historical popularity and the boost almost every Australasian incumbent is getting in the virus environment.
Current standings:
The Opposition has had two leadership changes this year - most recently Judith Collins was elected the Nationals leader - described as the NZ version of the 'Iron Lady', contrasting with the saintly and ever-popular Jacinta Ardern.
A couple of interesting events over the past week.
First:
On Tuesday, Ms Collins asked National MP Andrew Falloon to resign after it was revealed he had sent explicit pictures to at least one young woman.
According to Stuff.co.nz, in an alcohol fuelled incident, the 37-year-old politician sent at least one indecent picture – not believed to be of himself – to a woman over the age of 18. Her parents had alerted the Prime Minister’s office.
Mr Falloon had announced on Monday his intention to resign at the election, citing health reasons. However Ms Collins told NZ media that while she was concerned for his mental health, she believed it was better for everyone if he left parliament immediately.
Oh, good grief.Then, not to be outdone:
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sacked her Workplace Relations Minister over revelations of an inappropriate affair with one of his members of staff.
Iain Lees-Galloway, who is married with three children, has quit his ministerial role with immediate effect and will resign as an MP at the September election.
Mr Lees-Galloway, 41, said in a statement he had “acted completely inappropriately in my position and cannot continue as a Minister”.
Ditto.Sports Bet has Labor as very hot favourites, which is what you'd expect, given Ardern's historical popularity and the boost almost every Australasian incumbent is getting in the virus environment.
But that’s off topic.
