Ian McKelvie: Keeping busy in Opposition

And they're off: The opening of Parliament on November 7.

NEW Zealand's 52nd Parliament is now officially under way — the Labour-New Zealand First-Greens coalition ministers have been sworn in and the new cohort of MPs have made their maiden speeches.

My colleague and member of Parliament for the Rangitikei's neighbouring Whanganui electorate, Harete Hipango, delivered a passionate and heartfelt address to the House last Thursday in front of family and friends in the public gallery.

Just three Labour ministers and two from New Zealand First have ever held ministerial posts before, while our Prime Minister has never experienced being in Government and nor have 52 of the remaining 56 MPs who fill the coalition government benches.

I have never experienced life as an opposition MP before, and I feel as though I have learned a great deal in the past few weeks, in particular regarding the peculiar quirks and tricks found in the toolbox of an opposition MP and spokesperson.

I feel privileged to have been appointed as opposition spokesman for both veterans' affairs and seniors. I am also on the primary production and health caucus committees and the transport and infrastructure select committee.

In fact, I've never been busier.

The coalition government got off to a somewhat shaky start in the House, with the debacle surrounding the election of Trevor Mallard as Speaker and their subsequent concession regarding the allocation of select committee seats. As a consequence, National will

chair seven of the 14 select committees and we will make up half of the numbers
on each committee.

Ian McKelvie, MP for Rangitikei

This puts us in a very strong position in terms of holding the Government to account. For example, the quorum of a select committee is half its number, and Labour will need to do a much better job of keeping their numbers tidy.

Meanwhile, the National Party, with 56 MPs, is the largest single party in opposition since MMP was introduced in 1996. New Zealanders need and deserve so much more than smiles, good intentions and ambiguous rhetoric.

As a strong and unified opposition we will hold this Government to account for every decision, statement and choice they make. Over 1.1 million New Zealanders voted National at the election, and we won't let them down.

We are experienced, unified and the strongest opposition party this Parliament has seen in the past 31 years.

I am looking forward to the challenge, and am especially looking forward to working in my roles as opposition spokesman for both seniors and veterans' affairs, while maintaining my interest in the primary sector and rural and provincial New Zealand.