Tributes paid to Green MP Sue Bradford following resignation announcement
Green MP Sue Bradford announced her resignation from Parliament last week after a decade in the House, but confirmed she would remain a member and supporter of the Green Party.
“Sue is a very experienced and very successful MP and we’d like her to continue,” Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said, “but we also respect her decision to step down.”
Ms Bradford said her decision, effective October 30, was prompted by the Green Party’s co-leader contest earlier this year: “The Party made a clear and democratic decision, but of course it was personally disappointing and I’m ready for a change.”
The four-term MP said she would remain active with community groups and unions: “I’ll always be politically active and Parliament is just one vehicle for political change. I’ll be going back to the grassroots.”
The 57-year-old Aucklander said it had been an honour to provide a voice in Parliament for communities that were often without representation, including children and young people, low-income workers and the unemployed.
Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said Ms Bradford had been a champion of Green social justice policy: “Sue has been strong and determined in representing the Green Party’s commitment to speak for the underrepresented and the most vulnerable.”
The Green Party’s new MP will be Aucklander Dave Clendon, a sustainable business advisor who is of Ngapuhi/Te Roroa and Pakeha heritage. “The Green Party has been in the House for ten years now and so new faces and new energy are to be expected,” noted Dr Norman. “Importantly, all of our MPs are committed to the same values, as in any established political party.”
Ms Bradford had the unique distinction of seeing three Members’ Bills passed into law in the last Parliament. Respectively, they lifted the youth minimum wage to adult rates, extended the length of time some mothers in prison can keep their babies with them, and amended s59 of the Crimes Act so that children receive the same legal protection from assault as adults.
“I’ve also been privileged, through Green Party budget bids, to secure support for the Community & Voluntary sector, for example, securing substantial extra funding for the Community Organisations Grants Scheme (COGS) and initiating the Community Internship Programme,” Ms Bradford said.
Since the announcement was made last Friday, tributes have flooded in from organisations around New Zealand.
Alliance Party co leader Kay Murray says the New Zealand political scene will be poorer now that Sue Bradford has announced she is to resign from parliament.
"In an era of populist politicians who appear to stand for nothing and whose main aim seems to be simply to get themselves elected, Sue stood out as a politician with integrity."
Ms Murray says Sue Bradford was someone who wanted to make New Zealand more equitable society and a better place for everyone.
"She was prepared to champion causes that were right and just in the full knowledge that they would do her personal political career no good at all and make her deeply unpopular amongst certain sectors of the community. Even those who disagreed with her stance had to admire her courage and tenacity."
Maori Party Co-leader Tariana Turia has spoken of her sadness at learning of Sue Bradford's resignation.
"Parliament will lose a passionate and powerful advocate when Sue leaves," said Mrs Turia. "I have known Sue for many years, long before we came to Parliament. She has had a very strong social justice background and has been part of a powerful movement for social change.
"She has been a keen advocate for the unemployed and has spoken up for the need to address poverty issues with arguments which are both compelling and compassionate."
Members of ComVoices, an independent network of Tangata Whenua, and community and voluntary sector organisations, paid tribute to Sue Bradford’s contribution to New Zealand communities.
Wendi Wicks, National Policy Advisor of the Disabled People’s Assembly (DPA) said Sue Bradford has been an unwavering advocate of Sector issues and concerns both during her time in Parliament, and prior to her term.
“Whether you agreed with her politics or not, there is no doubt about her contribution to New Zealand’s social fabric. That has to be recognised by all sides of the political spectrum,” Wendi said.
Tim Burns, Executive Director of Volunteering New Zealand commended her role in supporting the tax changes for charitable organisations and in promoting volunteering and giving.
“Sue is one of the hardest working MPs in Parliament. She has always challenged thinking and assumptions – both of the public, the Parliament and the Sector. She has enormous integrity and will be a great loss.”
Dave Henderson, Coordinator of ANGOA, said Sue Bradford’s strong understanding of the value and knowledge of the Sector was a strength that was uncommon when she first entered Parliament.
“She has a fundamental understanding of how the Sector can improve and inform policy debate. While other MPs have increasingly come to understand the role and value of the Sector over the past few years, Sue was an unrecognised leader in this area.”
Tina Reid, Executive Director of the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations (NZFVWO) said ComVoices members wished Sue Bradford well for the future.
“We look forward to encountering Sue in her next role, whatever that may be,” Tina said.
The Maritime Union of New Zealand thanked Sue Bradford for her support for workers and those without a voice in the political process. Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says Sue Bradford was a friend of the Maritime Union and all workers.
"Sue was a principle driven politician during her time in Parliament who was ahead of her time and who provided a contrast to many other faceless representatives."
Mr Hanson says that Ms Bradford was one of the few MPs in Parliament who understood the crossover between social, economic and environmental policies. Mr Hanson says Sue Bradford was also a friend of New Zealand workers and her resignation was a loss to Parliament.
"Her activist background gave her a real understanding of the struggle of unemployed and low paid workers since the 1980s."
He says he expects Ms Bradford to continue to be an active and effective political advocate outside Parliament.
The National Distribution Union said it will greatly miss Sue Bradford’s presence in Parliament, but is looking forward to working with her wherever she now chooses to put her energies.
“Sue has always been in the struggle alongside, and an advocate for, the rights of the most vulnerable members of our society,” NDU General Secretary Robert Reid said.
“When she arrived at Parliament this did not change. She has stood up for people and causes that were often overlooked, such as unemployed workers, young workers, people with experience of mental illness and the right of children to live without violence.”
Finance workers’ union Finsec said Sue Bradford’s decision to resign as a Green MP is a major loss to all the workers that she has been a vocal advocate for in Parliament.
“Sue never wavered in her support for workers during her time as an MP. Her office may have been a few floors up but her heart was always with those struggling down on the street,” said Finsec Campaigns Director Tali Williams.
“She leaves parliament with a unique legacy of achievement for someone who never had the opportunity to play a role in government,” said Williams.
New Zealand’s youth union movement, Stand Up, thanked Bradford for the valuable contribution she has made to making New Zealand a more fair and just society.
Convener, James Sleep, says Sue Bradford’s legacy is one to be proud of. "Over Sue’s time in Parliament she has consistently been a strong voice for children and young people.
"As a result of Sue’s commitment and passion for young people, the youth minimum wage was raised to the same level as the adult minimum wage, and our children were awarded the same legal protection against assault as all other New Zealanders.
Over Sue’s long career inside and outside Parliament, she has shown a fierce belief in young New Zealanders."
