David Robinson (New Zealand politician)

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New Zealand Parliament
Dave Robinson
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Manawatu
In office
15 August 1987 27 October 1990
YearsTermElectorateParty
1987 1990 42nd Manawatu Labour

From 1970 to 1977 he lived in Australia and was an active member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He admired the ALP government of Gough Whitlam and its expansion of welfare and health services. [2] When he returned to New Zealand he joined the New Zealand Labour Party. At the 1984 election he was the campaign manager for Dave Alton, Labour's candidate for the Manawatu electorate, who narrowly lost to incumbent MP Michael Cox.

At the next election in 1987, Robinson and Alton switched roles. Robinson managed to defeat Cox (after a recount) and was elected to represent the Manawatu electorate in Parliament. Robinson was one of a group of new Labour MPs elected in 1987, along with some already in Parliament, who wanted to work towards returning the government to what they saw as traditional Labour values, as opposed to the policies being implemented by Roger Douglas and others. [2]

He was designated chairman of the Labour caucus committee on foreign affairs. [1] He was surprised as he had no background expertise in this area and soon began to view the extensive caucus committee system as little more than a method to scatter the attention and energy of otherwise rebellious backbenchers. [2] He was also on the electoral, energy, justice and social welfare caucus committees. [3]

At the 1990, he was defeated by Hamish MacIntyre, one of a number of losses contributing to the fall of the Fourth Labour Government. Robinson was unsurprised by their lack of success, but regarded the adoption of MMP as the most valuable response to the "Unbridled Power" of the Cabinet in a one-party government.

Later activities

He has since been active at a grass-roots level in the Green Parties of both New Zealand and Australia. Professionally, he has worked as a Social Worker and Mediator.

Personal life

He and his wife Sue, a psychologist, have one child each from previous relationships, both of whom form part of their extended family along with 3 grandchildren. [2]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Who's Who 1987, p. 85.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Collins, Simon (2 January 1988). "Practising the Art of Compromise". The New Zealand Herald. p. 9.
  3. 1 2 Who's Who 1987, p. 84.

References

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Manawatu
1987–1990
Succeeded by