MP Andrew Bayly says his promotion to his new role as National’s Shadow Treasurer won’t impact on his constituent work.
The Port Waikato MP says he won’t be forgetting his constituents despite his rapid rise up the party ranks to Number 3.
The third-term MP has been also been appointed as Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Statistics in Judith Collins’ Shadow Cabinet.
Collins has shared the responsibility of the finance portfolio between Bayly who was named Shadow Treasurer (Revenue) and Michael Woodhouse, who will be Finance spokesperson.
Bayly says both he and Woodhouse were very happy with the move. Within hours of its announcement he was already hard at work in the role, taking the Reserve Bank to task for adding fuel to the housing market fire with its accommodating monetary policies.
The idea of splitting the finance portfolio followed several discussions with the leadership team and demonstrated its deep commitment to National’s economic focus, Bayly says.
“Our economic team isn't just myself and Michael - it includes about eight people who will all be working together.”
Bayly believes he’s well-qualified for the task with his background in finance and business and his Parliamentary experience.
Before entering Parliament, he trained as an accountant before working with merchant banks in New Zealand and London for 10 years. When he returned to New Zealand, he co-founded a merchant bank, offering corporate advisory and capital markets advice to a range of government entities, local authorities and corporate clients.
During his time in Parliament he has been National's Associate Finance Spokesperson, and its spokesperson for revenue, commerce, building and construction, SOEs, small business and manufacturing. He has also chaired the Local Government and Environment select committee, and has been a member of the powerful Finance and Expenditure select committee for six years.
He was elected as the MP for Hunua in 2014, retained the seat in 2017 and successfully contested the new Port Waikato electorate at this year's election.
Despite his new role and elevation in the ranks, Bayly says as an electorate MP he made a commitment to serve his constituents and he won’t be forgetting that pledge.
“Being an effective electorate MP is the reason I got into politics – for me it’s more about the people.
“I am still available to help all constituents, no matter what their political persuasion – that won’t change. If anyone needs help, support or advice, they should get in touch with me directly or contact my electorate office staff.”
Email Bayly directly at andrew@baylymp.co.nz or follow him on Facebook at AndrewBaylyMP.
The electorate office is at 7 Wesley Street, Pukekohe. Phone 09 238 5977 during office hours.