NBR:’Banks puts hand up for Epsom’ and my comment.

www.nbr.co.nz/article/banks-puts-hand-epsom-nn-93451

Banks puts hand up for Epsom

John Banks has ended speculation about his involvement in future ACT Party plans by formally putting his hat in the ring for the party’s Epsom seat nomination.

The 64-year-old former Auckland mayor registered his nomination at ACT’s head office in Newmarket this afternoon.

Don Brash, who rolled Rodney Hide to take over as the party’s leader last month, has been pushing for Mr Banks to take over the seat Mr Hide holds.

Nominations for the seat, which Mr Hide won with 56 percent of the vote for in the 2008 election, close next Tuesday. Mr Banks is the only candidate so far.

Mr Banks, who was a National Party MP from 1981 to 1999, told NZPA he was excited by the prospect of returning to Parliament.

“I was in Parliament house 30 years ago, then I was in the town hall, then I went back to the town hall, and maybe, with the support of the Epsom people, maybe back to Parliament, so it just shows it is a land of opportunity,” he said.

“I’m really rather excited, enthused and motivated.”

Mr Banks said he had been considering a position in ACT for the last three months.

“I wasn’t, in the early stages, breaking my neck to get back to Parliament because I’ve re-established my commercial career and I thought it might be time to move on,” he said.

“But as the country finds itself in deeper and deeper trouble, I felt that I needed to step up to the plate and make a contribution again.

“Don invited me to stand and I’ve had representations by large numbers of local Epsom voters, and the rest is now history.”

The seat has been crucial for ACT since 2005 and may be again in this year’s election if the party remains unable to meet the 5 percent party vote threshold.

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Comments and questions

6

JOHN why did you not stand for national.in epsom,remuera voters ask WHY.

buzz the buzzard | Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 8:49am

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Without commenting Banks, can I wish we had a strong ACT candidate in the Tamaki electorate?

Footplate | Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 9:48am

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We need a National representative in Epsom, to stop extremist views. We need democratic options in all electorates. John Key stop stalling and put up a candidate.

Karl | Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 10:52am

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Banks the Eastern Motorway across the Orakei basin man. Does he think Epsom has forgotten ?

Anonymous | Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 10:53am

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So – ‘flip flop’ John Bank$ is now seeking selection as the National “B” Team /ACT) candidate for Epsom.

Wonder what ACT’s democratic ‘due process’ for candidate selection involves?

If it’s anything like the way Don Bra$h became ‘Leader’ of ACT, two hours after he joined the ACT party – it seems that you just have to demonstrate that you have access to significant BIG busine$$ finance (including your own?) – and that’s it?

Corporate style ‘democracy’ – according to the ‘Golden Rule’ – ‘those who have the gold – make the rules?

Seeking public office in order to serve WHOSE interests?

How CONVENIENT that the ‘Leader’ of ACT /National “B” Team, Don Bra$h, and John Bank$ – just happen to be business buddies as well?

Job$ for the boy$?

NO possible ‘conflicts of interest’ there?

Wonder what Mr ‘line-by-line accounting’ / ‘open the books’ John Banks now has to say about the proposed 4.9% Auckland ($upercity) Council residential and commercial rate increase?

(Please be reminded that on 13 December 2010, C&R Auckland Councillors supported a 3.9% rates increase).

Please also be reminded that during the Auckland Council Mayoral campaign, ex-Auckland City Council Mayor John Banks, was a loud and proud $upercity supporter.

I’ve spoken to a number of Epsom voters who knew nothing about the proposed 4.9% Auckland Council rate increase.

Many from the Remuera, Parnell and Newmarket shopping centres, enthusiastically took postcards to send to Prime Minister John Key, pledging ‘to consider not paying this proposed Auckland Council 4.9% rate increase.

The ‘books’ are NOT open.
The use of private contractors – especially consultant contractors is simply out of control.
There is NO ‘line-by-line’ accounting.
The public are being used as a giant CA$H COW all pay – no say.

(I will be giving an update on these developments at the Auckland Council Governing Board meeting on Tuesday 24 May 2011, 10am at the former Manukau City Council building.)

Penny Bright
https://waterpressure.wordpress.com

Penny Bright | Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 11:06am

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In response to Anonymous | Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 10:53am

The growth of Stonefields’ suburb, the mega -expansion of Lunn Avenue, the swelling of the South East……all with nowhere to go but Greenlane, tells you Banks had foresight and balls…….two commodities in epidemic short-supply in National right now.
You’ll live to see the Eastern Corridor/”Greenway”/ whatever they dress it up to be.
And Go Penny, GO. We need action Any action to get the Auckland Council Debating Society to do SOMETHING…..anything other than blather.
By the way, the Local Board charged with that Stonefields-Lunn Avenue debacle is too busy in meetings to even go and see what’s happening…..

B S Bertie | Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 11:23am