Constituents have their say on Curran demotion

Dunedin  South Labour MP Clare Curran has some work to do to regain the trust of her constituents if voters spoken to yesterday by the Otago Daily Times are any guide.

On Friday Ms Curran was stripped of two of her portfolios and dropped from Cabinet after it was discovered she failed to record a February meeting with entrepreneur and Sky TV director Derek Handley in her diary, and subsequently failed to record it in a written parliamentary question.

This followed an earlier meeting with former Radio New Zealand executive Carol Hirschfeld which was likewise not noted in Ms Curran's diary.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by any party at the meetings, but not recording that the meeting occurred created what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called "an impression of a lack of transparency.''

Ms Curran lost her Digital Services portfolio and Open Government responsibilities, but remained Broadcasting and Associate Accident Compensation Minister, outside of Cabinet.

Dunedin South constituents spoken to yesterday by the ODT were universal in their opinion that Ms Curran's actions were unfortunate, but most thought her demotion was inadequate.

Tim McAlevey said Ms Curran's punishment "might have been a bit light'' but he still respected her as an electorate MP.

"She's a good hard worker, that's what you have to be in South Dunedin.''

Raelyn Beard thought that the demotion was justified: "she doesn't have my confidence.''

Riki Gilbert said he did not know much about the details of Ms Curran's demotion, but said he had no complaints about her as local MP.

Brian Eckhold, however, felt Ms Curran was lucky to still be a minister.

"I've been Labour all my life, but I'm not a fan of hers.''

Angela Ward said was not sure if Ms Curran's offence matched the punishment handed out.

"But it's probably quite embarrassing for Dunedin that this has happened.''

While some have questioned whether being demoted from Cabinet is sufficient punishment for Ms Curran's off-diary meetings, it does come at a not inconsiderable cost for her.

Quite apart from the embarrassment and the question mark it raises about whether she will ever return to Cabinet, a minister outside Cabinet is paid around $46,000 less than a minister inside Cabinet.

On Friday Ms Curran apologised, saying she had let herself and the Prime Minister down.

"I think the people of Dunedin South know I work pretty hard on their behalf and I hope that I can continue to do so.''

Ms Curran has been the Dunedin South MP since 2008.

She took over the electorate from David Benson-Pope.

Before entering Parliament she worked in public relations in Dunedin and for unions in Australia.