Phil Twyford

Phil Twyford
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Labour Te Atatū
Assumed office
2008
Personal details
Nationality New Zealander
Political party Labour
Website twyford.org.nz

Philip Stoner Twyford (born 4 May 1963), known as Phil Twyford, is a politician from New Zealand and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 2008. He is the Labour Party MP for Te Atatū.

Early years

Twyford was born in 1963.[1] His middle name, Stoner, is the maiden name of his mother.[1][2] He is the founder director of Oxfam New Zealand.[3]

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate List Party
2008–2011 49th List 26 Labour
2011–2014 50th Te Atatū 33 Labour
2014 – present 51st Te Atatū 7 Labour

Twyford stood for election in the North Shore electorate at the 2005 and 2008 elections. He placed second both times but in 2008 he was elected as a list MP.

Twyford was appointed Labour's spokesperson for Disarmament and Arms Control, Auckland Issues, and associate spokesperson for Foreign Affairs - Development Assistance by Labour leader Phil Goff.

In 2009, Twyford's Local Government (Protection of Auckland Assets) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot, but failed to pass its first reading.[4] Twyford promoted the bill because of concerns that the reorganisation of Auckland's local governance by National and Act into a "Supercity" unity was partially to allow the sell-off of public assets, a claim his opponents claimed was "scaremongering".[5] Twyford continues to be involved in the matter of Auckland's local government reorganisation, and is a Labour representative on the select committee on the associated Auckland Law Reform bill.[6]

In September 2010, his Depleted Uranium (Prohibition) Bill,[7] which would ban depleted uranium weapons and armour from New Zealand,[8][9] was drawn from the member's ballot.[10] It was debated in June 2012, and failed to advance on a tied vote.[11]

Twyford is currently Labour Spokesperson for Housing and Auckland Issues, and Associate Spokesperson for the Environment. He is also a member of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.[12]

Political views

In his maiden speech to Parliament, Twyford expressed support for a New Zealand republic.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 Gower, Patrick (14 January 2009). "New voices: Sam Lotu-Iiga, Phil Twyford and David Garrett". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "New Zealand Hansard - Members Sworn [Volume:651;Page:2]". New Zealand Parliament.
  3. ↑ Roughan, John (9 October 2008). "A word with... Phil Twyford". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  4. ↑ "Local Government (Protection of Auckland Assets) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  5. ↑ "Labour's Auckland Assets Bill Defeated In Parliament". Guide2.co.nz, with NZPA material. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  6. ↑ "Select Committee - Auckland Governance Legislation". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  7. ↑ John McSoriley, Local Government (Protection of Auckland Assets) Amendment Bill 2009, Bills Digest No 1972 Parliamentary Library, Wellington (Retrieved 23 December 2012)
  8. ↑ "Kiwi MP submits Members Bill calling for depleted uranium ban". International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  9. ↑ Phil Twyford (2009-11-18). "I can smell the (depleted) uranium on your breath". Red Alert. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  10. ↑ "Depleted Uranium (Prohibition) Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  11. ↑ Kate Shuttleworth (2012-06-28). "Uranium weapons deal rejected after one MP down". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  12. ↑ New Zealand Parliament - Phil Twyford MP
  13. ↑ "Head of State Referenda Bill — First Reading". Hansard. 21 April 2010.
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