A Farewell with a New Purpose
When Members of Parliament (MPs) retire, they often deliver a farewell speech to their colleagues. These valedictory statements are common before elections and provide an opportunity for MPs to reflect on their time in office. This week, former National Party Leader Judith Collins delivered her own valedictory statement, which not only included the usual thanks, jokes, and fond memories but also hinted at a new direction for her career.
Despite managing a heavy ministerial workload—over 18 different portfolios, including eight in this government alone—Judith Collins is not ready to retire. Instead, she is making an unusual transition. The Minister of Justice has appointed her as the next President of the New Zealand Law Commission. Collins joked that it was "an excellent decision—one of the best I've ever seen in a Minister of Justice, and I was one."
The Law Commission and an Apolitical Rebrand
Leading the Law Commission is a rare move for a former politician. All previous presidents have been either judges or legal academics. One notable exception was Geoffrey Palmer, who had also been an MP and former Prime Minister. Like Collins, he served as Attorney General. However, Palmer's term as president came 15 years after leaving politics.
The Law Commission conducts in-depth reviews of areas of New Zealand law. While the topics for review are initiated by the Minister of Justice, the reviews themselves are independent and apolitical. The Commission’s reputation as disinterested is crucial to its effectiveness. For a former MP, especially a former party leader like Collins, this presents a unique challenge.
Collins set the tone for her transition by reflecting on her approach to politics when she first became an MP. She described herself as a lawyer, not a politician, and emphasized her focus on facts rather than media portrayals. She noted that her fearless approach, while admirable in a legal context, could be seen as confrontational in Parliament.
"I now leave politics behind and move into an apolitical world with gusto and even relish. I'm over politics and looking forward to going back to my first loves, my family and the law."
This sentiment was a recurring theme in her reflections. Collins positioned herself as above common politics, emphasizing her independence, loyalty to her teams, and commitment to common-sense solutions.
A Career of Cross-Party Achievements
Collins highlighted several achievements that were not ideological wins but rather cross-party and non-ideological successes. One example was her work as an Associate Health Spokesperson, where she secured support from both National and other parties for an inquiry into the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. This effort went against the advice of previous inquiries.
Another achievement she was proud of was banning smoking in prisons, despite lacking government support. She also spoke about holding a senior minister accountable for leaking legal advice to the media and then lying about it.
Collins often reflected on her reputation for frankness. She admitted she was genetically incapable of sucking up to hierarchy, stating, "I can be a bit brutal." As Attorney General, she had a cabinet position that required her to disagree with government plans when necessary, and her valedictory speeches reflected that.
A Public Job Interview?
Valedictory statements typically serve more than just a farewell. Some MPs use them to relitigate past debates, settle old scores, or promote their achievements. Collins’ speech seemed to go beyond that, possibly serving as a public job interview for her new role.
When asked about qualities she would bring to the Law Commission, Collins emphasized her resilience. She joked that adversity was an opportunity to show character, noting that she had faced a lot of it. "So much adversity, so much character," she said.
Final Thoughts and Reflections
Collins' valedictory statement provided a glimpse into her future ambitions and her commitment to the law. Her speech was not just a reflection on her past but also a clear indication of her readiness for a new chapter.
The audio version of this story, along with the rest of the Sunday edition of The House, can be heard at the link near the top of this story. The Hansard report of Judith Collins' valedictory statement is available here. Parliament TV's footage of the valedictory is here.
The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation, and issues, is made with funding from Parliament's Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at website.
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