Ousted MP keeps Labour guessing on Hughes' seat

Judith Tizard. Photo / The Aucklander

Former Labour MP Judith Tizard is keeping her party on tenterhooks about whether she will take up the seat left vacant by Darren Hughes' resignation.

Ms Tizard is next on the list to enter Parliament but has so far proved resistant to the party hierarchy's hints that she should forgo the chance in favour of Manurewa candidate Louisa Wall.

Yesterday the party president, Andrew Little, took issue with Ms Tizard after she appeared to question whether Labour leader Phil Goff had what it took to be prime minister, saying "the question for Phil Goff is whether he can step up to that".

In response, Mr Little said, "The question for any aspiring MP is whether they can be disciplined enough to be part of a team and contain their ego accordingly and act in the best interests of the party they wish to represent."

Mr Little has made it clear his preference is for Ms Wall to take the empty seat because she is a candidate in the election.

Ms Tizard also told weekend media she had some "unfinished business", including her valedictory speech, and it would be nice to say "stick it up you" to those who did not want her back. She said she would talk to friends before deciding.

Mr Little said the issue for the five former MPs in line before Ms Wall was whether it was worth giving up their current involvements for a six-month stint in which it was unlikely they would achieve much.

Although the job involves just six months' work before Parliament ends for the November election, the MP would get a total salary package of about $162,265.

Departing MPs are paid until three months after an election, meaning a salary of $123,565, superannuation contributions of up to $24,700 and a no-questions-asked expenses allowance of $14,000.