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Simeon Brown | |
|---|---|
.png/500px-BROWN,_Simeon_-_Pakuranga_(cropped).png) Brown in 2023 | |
| 29th Minister of Transport | |
| Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
| Preceded by | David Parker |
| 18th Minister for Energy | |
| Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
| Preceded by | Megan Woods |
| 22nd Minister of Local Government | |
| Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
| Preceded by | Kieran McAnulty |
| 4th Minister for Auckland | |
| Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
| Preceded by | Carmel Sepuloni |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Pakuranga | |
| Assumed office 23 September 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Maurice Williamson |
| Majority | 10,050 (2020) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 April 1991 Rotorua, New Zealand[1] |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse | Rebecca |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland |
| Signature |  |
| Website | simeonbrown.co.nz |
Simeon Peter Brown[2] (born 8 April 1991)[3] is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the National Party.
Early life and career
Brown was born in Rotorua in 1991.[3] His family moved to Clendon Park, Auckland in 2003, and he attended Manurewa High School.[4][5] Brown's mother was Chair of the local residents' association, the Clendon Residents Group; Brown began attending meetings and became its secretary and, later, treasurer.[5] He then chaired the inaugural Manurewa Youth Council.[6] In 2013, he was appointed to the Manurewa Local Board following the resignation of Daniel Newman.[7] In the 2013 elections, he was elected to a full term on the board, where he also served as deputy chair.[8]
Brown studied at the University of Auckland. There, he was president of the student pro-life group, ProLife Auckland, and saw through the affiliation of the group with the Auckland University Students' Association.[9] The group was frequently challenged and disaffiliated in 2017 after a referendum by the student body.[10] Brown graduated with a conjoint degree of a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws in 2016,[11] then worked as a senior associate at the Bank of New Zealand.[8]
Brown entered a submission to parliament in which he opposed the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013, which allows same-sex couples to legally marry.[12]
Brown stated, in an interview on his youth, that he was motivated to go into politics to stand up for the values of and fight for "hard work, personal responsibility and enterprise".[13]
In 2014 he contested the parliamentary seat of Manurewa for the National Party, but lost to incumbent Labour MP Louisa Wall by a large margin, and his list placing of 64th on National's list meant he wasn't elected to Parliament.[14]
Member of Parliament
First term, 2017–2020
Brown stood in the electorate of Pakuranga during the 2017 general election. The seat is a National Party safe seat - at the time Brown's predecessor Maurice Williamson had held it since 1987. Brown was selected as the National Party's candidate to replace Williamson after he decided not to seek re-election.[15] Brown was elected with a majority of 14,886 votes.[16]
In February 2018, a private member's bill introduced by Brown was drawn from the ballot. The Bill would ensure that anyone who supplies drugs prohibited by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 receives a penalty consistent with the penalty prescribed for supplying a Class C Drug.[17] The Bill was strongly supported by family members of synthetic cannabis victim Calum Jones[18] but voted down by Parliament.[19]
Brown voted against the Abortion Legislation Act 2020, which effectively sought to remove abortion from the Crimes Act 1961.[20] Stuff political reporter Henry Cooke described the MP as "one of the most socially conservative MPs in [the National Party]".[21] He voted against the Bill prohibiting homosexual conversion therapy.[22]
Second term, 2020–2023
During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Brown was re-elected in Pakuranga by a large margin of 10,050 votes,[23] making Pakuranga the safest seat for National in terms of the candidate vote.
In the November 2020 caucus reshuffle, led by National's leader Judith Collins, Brown was admitted to the Shadow Cabinet, ranking 20 on the National Party's list, and is now holding four shadow portfolios in Police, Serious Fraud Office, Youth and Corrections.[24]
In early May 2021, Brown received several death threats following his criticism of Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson visiting a hui held by the Waikato Mongrel Mob. He had claimed that her visit was an insult to victims of gang-related crime.[25] In late May, Brown also received several threatening messages from Mongrel Mob members after he criticised a funeral procession in a tweet for allegedly taking over a road in Hawke's Bay. These comments were passed onto the Police.[26] Louise Hutchinson, the Public Liaison for the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom, accused Brown of cultural insensitivity and of using gangs as a "politicking tool." Hutchinson also said that the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom had repeatedly invited Brown and the National Party to meet with them but that these invitations had been declined.[27]
In February 2022, Brown was one of only eight MPs to vote against the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022.[28]
In June 2022, Brown was caught in a controversy where he liked a Facebook post by fellow MP Simon O'Connor which expressed it was a "good day" following Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization's overturn of US Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which curtailed abortion rights in the US. Brown later apologised for liking O'Connor's post.[29][30]
On 19 January 2023, Brown was allocated the new Auckland issues portfolio in Party leader Christopher Luxon's shadow cabinet.[31]
On 27 May 2023, Brown stated during a Bay of Plenty meeting about transport infrastructure that introducing bilingual road signs in English and Māori would create confusion and that "they should all be in English." He made these remarks when he was asked his opinion on Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency's) proposal to introduce bilingual road signs.[32] Brown's remarks drew criticism from Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who suggested that the National Party was dog whistling on Waka Kotahi's bilingual road sign programme. In response to criticism, fellow National MP Chris Bishop stated that National had no problems with bilingualism but opined that the agency should focus on repairing portholes and upgrading roles rather than bilingual road signs.[33][34] Several Māori National MPs including Tama Potaka, Harete Hipango, and Shane Reti expressed disagreement with Brown, stating that they had no objections to bilingual road signs.[35]
Third term, 2023–present
During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Brown retained Pakuranga by a margin of 18,710 votes, defeating Labour's Nerissa Henry.[36] Following the formation of the National-led coalition government in late November 2023, he was appointed as Minister of Energy, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Transport, Minister for Auckland, and Deputy leader of the House.[37]
Energy
On 30 April 2024, Brown confirmed that the Government would invest in 25 new high speed electric vehicle charging facilities along key routes between major urban centres.[38]
Transport
On 4 December 2023 Brown, in his capacity as Transport Minister, ordered that the transport agency Waka Kotahi give primacy to its English name "New Zealand Transport Agency."[39][40] On 12 December Brown also confirmed that the Government would be keeping its election promise to abolish blanket speed limits on roads and highways. He also announced that he would write to inform Road Controlling Authorities about the changes and new rule.[41] On 21 March, Brown confirmed that Cabinet was developing new rules to replace the so-called "Nanny state" speed limit reductions of the previous Labour Government.[42]
On 16 December Brown, in his capacity as Transport Minister, instructed the New Zealand Transport Agency to halt the Transport Choices Programme which involved funding and working with various local council projects to promote cycling, walking and public transportation.[43] In early November 2023, the Transport Agency had unilaterally halted funding for the Transport Choices Programme amidst coalition talks to form the next National-led government.[44] Notable projects affected by the Government's transportation policy change included the "Let's Get Wellington Moving" programme.[45] On 14 January 2024, Brown confirmed the cancellation of Auckland light rail, stating that the cost of the project was unsustainable for taxpayers.[46]
On 19 March 2024, Brown confirmed that the Government would reduce the proposed road user charge on hybrid vehicles from NZ$53 per 1,000km to NZ$38. Earlier, the Parliamentary transport select committee had adopted a Labour and Green proposal to reduce the road user charge for hybrid vehicles to NZ$38 against the wishes of committee chair and NZ First MP Andy Foster.[47] Earlier in January 2024, Brown had announced that the Government would implement road user charges on both electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids from 1 April 2024.[48]
On 9 July 2024, Brown announced that the Government would ease Clean Car Standard Rules to comply with Australian fuel efficiency standards. In response clean car lobby group "Drive Electric" said that weakening fuel efficiency standards would lead to high petrol and diesel prices.[49] On 12 July, Brown announced that the Government would be introducing measures to reduce "excessive" road cone usage and to ease temporary traffic management costs.[50]
On 2 September 2024, Brown launched the Government's National Land Transport Programme, which invested NZ$32.9 billion in building 17 "Roads of National Significance" over the next three years. Brown also confirmed that the Government would invest NZ$6.4 billion from this sum into several public infrastructure projects including the City Rail Link, Eastern Busway, Northwest Rapid Transit Corridor, Auckland Airport to Botany Busway, and the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility.[51] On 19 September, Brown announced that the Government would roll out new data collection vans to assess the condition of New Zealand roads and prevent potholes.[52]
Local Government
On 14 December 2023 Brown, in his capacity as Local Government Minister, confirmed that the Government would introduce legislation in early 2024 to repeal the outgoing Labour Government's Water Services Reform Programme and introduce its own water reform programme.[53][54] According to media organisation Newsroom, the Government planned to create a new type of financial separate council-owned organisations to finance water and wastewater infrastructure. Instead of the ten proposed water service entities, local councils would be responsible for complying with water regulation rules and water infrastructural investment.[55]
On 26 January 2024, Brown confirmed that the Government would halt plans to progress legislation introduced by the previous Labour Government to lower the voting age to 16 years for local government elections.[56][57]
On 14 February Brown, as Local Government Minister, introduced legislation repealing the previous Labour Government's Three Waters reform programme under urgency.[58] Brown also announced that the Government would introduce two new laws in 2024 and 2025 rolling its own "Local Water Done Well" programme, which would emphasise local control over water infrastructure and services.[59]
On 4 April 2024, Brown announced that local and regional councils which introduced Māori wards without polling residents would have to hold referendums during the 2025 local elections or dissolve the wards they had established prior to the 2025 local elections. Brown also announced that the government would introduce legislation restoring the requirement for local councils to hold referenda on Māori wards by the end of July 2024.[60] This bill passed on 30 July 2024.[61][62]
On 5 May 2024 Brown and Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown jointly announced that Auckland would avoid a 25.8 percent rates increase as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well plan.[63]
On 8 August 2024, Brown announced that council-controlled organisations would be able to borrow money for water infrastructure from the Local Government Funding Agency. Under the Government's first Local Water Done Well legislation, local councils have a year to develop plans for funding water services they need and ensuring their financial sustainability.[64]
Personal life and public image
Brown is a Baptist Christian[1] who attends church regularly.[65] He lives in his electorate in Auckland with his wife Rebecca. Together they have three children.[66][67][68]
Brown is mocked on social media often.[69][70] Despite their differing politics, Brown also developed a constructive relationship with Mayor of Wellington Tory Whanau.[5]
References
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- ^ "Daily progress for Tuesday, 7 November 2017". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ a b @simeonbrownmp (8 April 2019). "I did. I turned 28 today. Happy birthday to me" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ New Zealand National Party (21 June 2014). "National selects Simeon Brown as Manurewa candidate" (Press release). Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Vance, Andrea (4 February 2024). "Win and a prayer: how Simeon Brown is defying his reputation". The Post. Stuff. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Youth council to help solve Manurewa problems". The Aucklander. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Boreham, Jay (22 March 2013). "Forget about new member". Manukau Courier. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b Taylor, PJ (24 March 2017). "Youthful banker gets nod in Pakuranga". Stuff. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ ProLife Auckland. "Pro-Life Club Affiliates at University of Auckland". Scoop (Press release). Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Auckland University students vote to disaffiliate anti-abortion club". Stuff. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Graduate Search". University of Auckland. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Submission by Simeon Brown on the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Bill to the Government Administration Select Committee". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020.
- ^ "First-term MPs: Simeon Brown on his youth, synthetic drug law, and door-knocking". Newshub. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "Official Count Results – Manurewa (2014)". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ Jones, Nicholas (26 July 2016). "National and Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson to leave Parliament". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ Commission, New Zealand Electoral. "E9 Statistics – Electorate Status". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020.
- ^ "Bills (proposed laws)". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019.
- ^ Leask, Anna (6 February 2018). "Synthetics: Family of victim team up with MP on law-change push". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019.
- ^ "Psychoactive Substances (Increasing Penalty for Supply and Distribution) Amendment Bill — Third Reading – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ Walls, Jason (8 August 2019). "How Members of Parliament voted in the first reading of the Abortion Legislation Bill". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ "Christopher Luxon faces a real challenge in National Party selection". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
- ^ "Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill — Second Reading". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
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- ^ "Our Team". New Zealand National Party. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "Police arrest man after death threats to National MP Simeon Brown". The New Zealand Herald. 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021.
- ^ Molyneux, Vita (26 May 2021). "National MP Simeon Brown receives more death threats from Mongrel Mob after criticising funeral procession". Newshub. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021.
- ^ Molyneux, Vita (26 May 2021). "Waikato Mongrel Mob accuses National MP Simeon Brown of using gangs as political tool". Newshub. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021.
- ^ "Politicians react as bill to ban conversion therapy passes". Radio New Zealand. 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ "national-mp-removes-post-following-roe-v-wade-decision". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "simon-o-connor-apologises-to-fellow-national-mps-over-abortion-post". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "National reshuffle: Luxon promotes former leaders Judith Collins, Todd Muller". The New Zealand Herald. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Road signs 'should all be in English': National". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press. 27 May 2023. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Ensor, Jamie (29 May 2023). "Election 2023: National claims no issue with Te Reo on road signs, but says they should be 'nice-to-have'". Newshub. Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Neilson, Michael (29 May 2023). "Te reo Māori road signs supported by National says MP Chris Bishop; PM Chris Hipkins accuses party of 'dog whistle'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Lynch, Jenna (30 May 2023). "National's Tama Potaka takes Simeon Brown for korero over Te Reo road signs as Māori MPs break party line". Newshub. Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
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- ^ Martin, Robin (16 December 2023). "Minister pulls brakes on cycling and walking initiatives". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
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- ^ "National-led government officially cancels Auckland Light Rail plans". Radio New Zealand. 14 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
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- ^ "Government to spend nearly $33 billion on transport over the next 3 years". RNZ. 2 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Inspection vans to assess road conditions in bid to prevent potholes". 1 News. TVNZ. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ Trevett, Claire (14 December 2023). "Government to start to repeal Three Waters scheme early next year, minister Simeon Brown says". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
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- ^ "Parliament repeals Three Waters programme under urgency". Radio New Zealand. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
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- ^ "Māori wards bill passes third reading". RNZ. 30 July 2024. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
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- ^ "New details of Three Waters replacement revealed". 1 News. 8 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Young, Audrey (2 June 2021). "Is Simeon Brown National's most hated MP?". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ^ "MPs open up, fight back tears during Abortion Legislation Bill in Parliament". 8 August 2019.
- ^ "Browns welcome baby girl". Times Online. 9 February 2021.
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- ^ Vance, Andrea (30 January 2022). "Harete Hipango undermines National's rebuild". Stuff.