The Hutt South electorate, where the conference was taking place, is a marginal one that has recently swung back and forth between National and Labour. With National\u2019s polling currently behind Labour, it could be a seat the party and Bishop lose on November 7. <\/p>\n
Perhaps aware of a need to highlight the party\u2019s commitment to the area, Luxon spent a sizeable portion of his speech listing off actions the Government was undertaking in the region and developments in the private sector. <\/p>\n
Chris Bishop was the subject of much praise from National’s leader Christopher Luxon at the party’s conference in Lower Hutt. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n
The rest of his address was intended to charge up his party\u2019s supporters.<\/p>\n
He said the conference was \u201cwhere we recharge and it\u2019s also where we get organised because, make no mistake, this weekend is where our campaign begins\u201d.<\/p>\n
Luxon will return tomorrow for a longer speech, which is expected to include a policy announcement.<\/p>\n
While he clearly had support among the membership, another of his ministers who received a strong reception was Education Minister Erica Stanford. <\/p>\n
When Stanford and her education policies were mentioned during a speech, they received one of the loudest applauses of the day. <\/p>\n
Later, when taking part in a Q+A session alongside other ministers, nearly all of the questions were asked of her, preceded by the members praising her work.<\/p>\n
At the end of that segment, National\u2019s Matt Doocey, who was moderating, said it had been great to be part of the \u201cErica Stanford fan club\u201d meeting. <\/p>\n
There was a strong reception for Erica Stanford at the conference. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n
The most political of the speeches came from Willis, the Finance Minister, who began by lauding Luxon. <\/p>\n
\u201c[He\u2019s] ambitious for New Zealand, global in outlook with great conviction about the need to deliver for his fellow New Zealanders, leading a coalition with some personalities in it,\u201d she said, clearly referring to NZ First and Act members. <\/p>\n
\u201cLeading us through a volatile world and doing it with optimism, with aspiration, showing huge tenacity and resilience and hard, hard work. Prime Minister, New Zealand is so lucky to have you.\u201d <\/p>\n
She went on to explain what she called \u201cNational\u2019s vision\u201d, which included having a \u201cGovernment that makes responsible choices, that works hard to keep inflation under control, that guards against ever-rising interest rates\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cA Government that ensures we are managing our debt and keeping taxes low.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willis highlighted a series of positive economic signals, including this week\u2019s rosy gross domestic product (GDP) figure and the books coming back into surplus earlier under her preferred measure.<\/p>\n
But she also took it to Labour, arguing it was asking New Zealanders to \u201cforget about tomorrow and think only of today\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cKiwis understand there is no free lunch and that when politicians pretend there is, it\u2019s working men and women who end up footing the bill,\u201d Willis told National members. <\/p>\n
\u201cLabour has not learned their lessons from their last stint in Government. Instead, they\u2019re hoping Kiwis have short memories.\u201d <\/p>\n
National holds an economy-related forum at its conference on Saturday. Photo \/ Jamie Ensor<\/p>\n
Labour has come under attack from Willis for not yet explaining how it will <\/a>fund many of the promises it\u2019s made this term, including reinstating the previous pay equity scheme. <\/p>\n The National MP released what she referred to as Labour\u2019s \u201chidden bill\u201d<\/a> last Sunday. When she mentioned that in her speech, there were cries of \u201cshame\u201d in the audience.<\/p>\n Labour has said all of its policies will be fully costed and it will release a fiscal plan setting out its economic approach before the election.<\/p>\n It has released several policies in recent weeks, including two new health policies \u2013 free maternity scans and free prescriptions \u2013 which it has explained will be funded via its proposed capital gains tax<\/a> (CGT).<\/p>\n But Willis\u2019 jabs weren\u2019t exclusive to Labour, as she took a shot at NZ First leader and coalition partner Winston Peters as well. <\/p>\n Telling members National was \u201ctaking on the local Government behemoth\u201d, Willis said the party was \u201cadvancing plans to reduce its many layers\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd mark my words, Winston Peters, cap the rates that it charges,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n