Rich to be sacked from welfare portfolio

Katherine Rich

UPDATE - National MP Katherine Rich is tipped to be sacked from her welfare portfolio after refusing to commit to selling the policies outlined by party leader Don Brash at Orewa.

An announcement from Dr Brash was expected at 12.30pm today.

The MP has for several days reiterated her support for Dr Brash and his speech but refused to say she supported the policies.

Yesterday she went further, refusing to commit to selling them or to say whether she expected, or wanted, to keep the welfare job.

She also appeared to concede she had issues with at least some of the policies and would push for changes within caucus.

Most National MPs yesterday denied there was tension.

Dr Brash refused to comment when asked if the MP would be the party's welfare spokeswoman by the end of the week.

A senior party source suggested it was now almost inevitable she would be stripped of the portfolio unless she backed down.

Yesterday Ms Rich said National was a "broad-based party" and "bigger parties always have to work to accommodate a wide range of views". Asked if she hoped to change the caucus' mind over the policy on the domestic purposes benefit, she said: "I have some very firm views on certain areas, but I will debate that internally ... Externally we have to be a united team."

Questioned about whether she was happy selling Dr Brash's policy proposals, she said she would be "happy with any job the leader gives me to do ... ".

Asked if this meant she was committed to selling them, she said: "No, I haven't said that. I have said that I will work on any portfolio area I have been given."

Would she be happy to sell the policies and did she expect to do so, the Herald asked.

"I would just say that I'm very happy in the role of being a member of the National Party."

Last year Dr Brash removed the Maori Affairs portfolio from Georgina te Heuheu after she criticised his Orewa speech attacking separatist Maori policy.