In less than a week Simeon Brown should find out if he’s going from being an Opposition MP to a Cabinet minister in the next National Government.
The Pakuranga MP is campaigning to be re-elected in the seat at this year’s general election on October 14.
He serves as his party’s spokesperson for transport, the public service, and Auckland, sits on National’s frontbench in Parliament, and is Deputy Shadow Leader of the House.
Brown and his wife Rebecca have had a big year, welcoming their third child in June with the birth of their son Thomas, a little brother to his sisters Anna and Grace.
He says the National Party isn’t taking anything for granted with this year’s general election, both nationally and locally.
“Being elected as the MP is a real privilege and a huge responsibility, and it’s always been my view votes are earned.
“There is no right to this seat and I run every campaign exactly the same, like I’m behind.
“I go out there and ask people to vote for me on the basis of what I’ve done and what I can do to make this place better to live and work and for families to be able to get ahead.”
The top issue he’s hearing about from people on the campaign trail is the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“Whether that’s increased fuel prices, rents, interest rates, or food prices,” Brown says.
“I had a lady message me the other day saying she and her family are really struggling.
“They had to re-fix their mortgage and are left with $300 a fortnight to pay for all of their other expenses.
“Those are the types of choices people have to make at the moment.”
He says voters are also raising issues with him around crime, healthcare and education.
“People feel like the country is in a worse state today than it was six years ago.
“They want a Government that can deliver, get back to basics, and get things done for them and their family.”
Brown says a National Government will provide tax relief to working families and the “squeezed middle”.
“We believe in the National Party that people should be able to keep more of what they earn.
“Under this Government, people are being taxed more and they’re getting less.”
National can turn things around for New Zealand, but it won’t be easy, he says.
“We have a massive job ahead of us. Whether it’s in law and order, where gangs have increased 70 per cent in number and are recruiting faster than the police, or in healthcare, where it takes longer to get an operation, or be seen in an emergency department or by a GP.
“The public service is looking for leadership and for a Government that has clear targets and priorities.”
Brown’s message to voters in Pakuranga is he’s campaigning primarily for party votes for National.
“People can vote for me and I’d love their support so I can keep working for this electorate and representing it on the issues that matter.
“But in order for us to do that we need a National Government and that means the most important vote is the party vote.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support I receive from this electorate and I would be privileged to continue in this role.”
