Around 100 people squeezed into Goode Brothers in Botany for the launch of ACT party candidate Damien Smith’s tilt at the Botany seat occupied by independent MP Jami-Lee Ross.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Smith is a company director for The Markets Group and has experience in corporate finance and banking.
Smith also has a Masters in Business Administration and is a qualified educationalist.
The night’s main attraction however was an appearance by party leader David Seymour.
Seymour took a subtle dig at the National Party’s week from hell following the resignation of leader Todd Muller, and recent revelations of pending investigations by the Serious Fraud Office against the Labour Party.
Seymour said he was disturbed by “interference in New Zealand democracy” by individuals charged in the donations scandal, who it appears have made illegal donations to both major parties.
Seymour held court as he outlined ACT’s vision and policies including their plan for SMEs to recover in a post-Covid environment, combating welfare dependency and answered questions pertaining to overseas investment, and whether students should receive a benefit increase to make them distinct from other beneficiaries.
