Simmonds surges up National Party list rankings
“No 16 broke my old record, not that I’m that proud of it. I got 17 in my first term, that record stood for about 27 years." - Eric Roy.
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds has been propelled up the National Party list rankings and could be in line for a key role in a potential National-led Government.
Simmonds joined national politics before the 2020 election following a career as the Southern Institute of Technology’s long-time CEO.
Simmonds stood in the Invercargill electorate in 2020 and at that time was ranked 63 on the National Party list.
She will again contest the Invercargill electorate at October’s election.
When the National Party revealed its list rankings at the weekend Simmonds was included in 16th spot.
Former Invercargill MP Eric Roy spent close to two decades in parliament and his highest list ranking as part of the National party was 17.
“No 16 broke my old record, not that I’m that proud of it. I got 17 in my first term, that record stood for about 27 years, it couldn’t go to a better person,” Roy told The Country radio show hosted by Southland’s Jamie McKay.
“I’m hoping she is going to storm back and be given a very important position, she’s a very capable woman.”
Simmonds is currently National’s spokesperson for Early Childhood Education, Tertiary Education and Skills, and Workforce Planning.
She is also an associate spokesperson for Education and Social Development and Employment.
Southland MP Joseph Mooney has been ranked 53 on the National Party list ahead of October’s election.
Simmonds beat Labour’s Liz Craig in the Invercargill electorate at the 2020 election by just 224 votes.
The Labour Party released its party list last month with Craig ranked 44 putting her in serious jeopardy of losing her place in Parliament based on current polling - if she does not win the Invercargill seat.
Craig was ranked 41 before the 2020 election.
That's how out of touch Luxon is.
Penny would be one of his top 5 hardest and most dedicated workers IMO.