National has opened its annual conference on safe territory, with speeches focusing on the economy and law and order. Party leader Christopher Luxon told delegates it’s time for New Zealand to ‘rediscover its mojo’.
Following a predictable and on-message speech from deputy leader Nicola Willis on the state of the economy it was the following interactive session on law and order that got party faithfuls talking.
About 500 delegates turned out to day one of National’s annual conference and annual general meeting. READ MORE: * National ‘cautiously optimistic’ and on message * No room at the inn for Luxon’s Taranaki visit
Following opening remarks from Christopher Luxon, Nicola Willis fronted on the state of the economy.
"If you feel anxious while you wait for the total at the supermarket checkout, if you dread the two days before pay day because there’s so little money left in your account, if you’ve had to give up on your plan to buy a home, then know this: you are not alone," she told the crowd.
"Even Kiwis who are doing everything right, who are working hard and being incredibly careful are struggling. You are struggling because the economy is failing you."
She reiterated plans to cut wasteful spending and red tape, build skills and attract talent and use technology and innovation to grow the economy.
It was predictable and polished, and while the lines were snappy it was nothing new for anyone who has tuned in to National's messaging at any point this year.
Fortunately for those looking for entertainment value, a slightly less polished session on law and order from Paul Goldsmith and Mark Mitchell began afterward.
Justice spokesperson Goldsmith took the floor first, telling the half-filled Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington crime was “out of control” and it was making New Zealand “a fearful place”.
He criticised the current Government, the crowd murmuring in agreement when he said Labour’s only focus was to reduce the prison population, and this was linked to increased crime on the streets.
He promised a National government would come down hard on serious crime and youth crime, by way of the year-long boot camp (met with applause), and promised to speed up the courts system.
But it was Mark Mitchell’s anecdotal tales about the victims of violent crime that captured the attention of an audience that had, up until that point, been fairly flat.
“It was a dairy worker that was attacked, it was an aggravated robbery, they came in with a machete. He was pursued to the back of the shop and said 'Take what you want, just take what you want, and get out,'" he told the crowd.
This is not the country that I grew up, in terms of lawlessness, gang violence and youth offending, and I’m sure you feel the same.” - Mark Mitchell
“They pursued him to the back of the shop, and Christopher Luxon went to the back of the shop and it was horrific, there was blood splattered all over the walls ... the offenders attacked [the dairy worker] with the machete and in defending himself, he lost two of his fingers.
“The worst thing about that is we got a call a week later to say his wife, they're expecting their first child, had lost the baby and it was through the stress and the anxiety of watching her husband being attacked.”
Speaking off the cuff, Mitchell said he had just changed what he was going to talk about moments before coming on stage.
“I’ve completely changed what I was going to talk about ... I've been reflecting back on the past six to nine months on what we’ve had to deal with. This is not the country that I grew up, in terms of lawlessness, gang violence and youth offending, and I’m sure you feel the same.”
The only “hear hear!” throughout the conference was reserved for Mitchell’s comments on gangs and National’s commitment to cracking down on patches, gathering and illegal firearms.
It resonated with the crowd and when it came time for questions, hands shot up across the centre.
It was a far cry from the end of Willis’ speech earlier where she opened for questions but was forced to pad with “come on guys you’re not normally this shy”.
Delegates wanted to know about the gun register and whether National would keep it (yes), but had concerns about how people’s privacy would be protected.
Dairy and Business Owners Group chairman Sunny Kaushal – a regular commentator on ram raids – grabbed the microphone to ask how National would ensure parents took responsibility for wayward youth.
Mitchell said the issue was more complex than some might think.
"We’re two or three generations in now, some of these parents don’t even know how to parent now.”
Questions raised the party’s planned boot camp, and how much influence the military would have in this, and how National would help victims of crime.
What was the plan for graffiti and tagging – “It’s driving me nuts,” one delegate contributed.
Questions also came from the floor on methamphetamine, and how to deal with the drug that finances gangs and controls so many lives.
Mitchell and Goldsmith were sent off stage, as their time ticked over, with a round of applause.
“There will be some accountability all right," Goldsmith joked, "accountability at the ballot box in October”.
