National has sent a strong signal to the Families Commission with the appointments of Christine Rankin and Bruce Pilbrow.
Both are from the Right of the political spectrum, and could be described as social conservatives. Both opposed the repeal of Section 59 as well, which the Families Commission strongly supported.
Rankin isn't remembered particularly fondly by some sections of the public from her days at Winz, where her unorthodox management style and fondness for extravagant conferences got her much publicity.
So did her decision to sue the State Services Commission after she lost her job when Labour took office in 2000.
She's one of those people the media describes as "colourful'', which is a euphemism for controversial, and also for divisive.
Already this morning her appointment has been welcomed by Family First and Parents Inc and condemned by Child Poverty Action Group, Labour, and the Greens.
National didn't have any cross-party support for Rankin's appointment - and indeed I understand there wasn't a lot of support within National for it either.
Besides her divisive personality, there was some concern at her personal background, which has included three divorces and four marriages. Nothing wrong with that, of course - it's still fewer than Liz Taylor, and perhaps she just hadn't met the right person.
But then Taylor, as far as I know, didn't preach to others about their lives. And I think there is at least a legitimate question to be asked about whether Rankin is qualified to tell other New Zealanders how to run their families, or whether she is a pinup girl for family life.
Rankin has also been something of a fixture at protest rallies against the Electoral Finance Act and the repeal of Section 59 - the so-called "anti-smacking bill'' - where she said some pretty intemperate things, including criticising the former PM for being "childless'' and calling former Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro "a waste of space''.
In political parlance, she's a hot potato, a loose cannon, and frankly a risk. She could divide the commission and hinder its work.
Of course, a cynic might say that's the idea. National didn't want the Families Commission, remember, and had planned to abolish it. It was only the intervention of Peter Dunne, who's supporting the government and is a minister, that saved it.
Could National be planning to sabotage the commission with these latest appointments? I think that's probably going a bit far. But it certainly sends a strong message that it expects a change in temperament and tone from the commission.
Bruce Pilbrow is chief exec of Parents Inc, a conservative, Christian-based parent support group set up by Ian and Liz Grant. Parents Inc also opposed the repeal of Section 59.
Labour has criticised the appointment as "jobs for the girls'' and certainly Rankin has been a fixture at National Party events, although I don't think she is a member. There may be an element of payback for services rendered.
I'm not sure she's worth it, though. National must have known it would take some flak on this appointment, and I'm a bit surprised they thought she was worth the risk.
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"I'm a bit surprised they thought she was worth the risk."
So am I. I saw inside WINZ when she was head and although I wasn't dealing with her, the manager I did deal with was utterly hopeless.
She has said some sensible things, and was quite right about Kiro, but on her track record she must be considered a loose cannon.
can't be worse than those union members labour put in certain places that have totally screwed up so many govt departments.
Just what we needed! A 3 divorcee/4 marriages look at me look at me heading the Families Commission. Just glad that I don't have to rely on the Families Commission to understand how to be a good parent. Am only sad to see that the family issues we see today will only get worse under Christine.
This is so dissappointing. Whats next? Mattie Johns heading up Rape Crisis and Womans Refuge?
Blah blah blah!
Totally bizarre - totally.
The cynical take on it provides the only present explanation I can think of.
I hope she focuses on more important things like protecting children rather than taking away laws put in place to protect them. New Zealand has one of the worst rates of violence toward children in developed countries. I hope she keeps this in mind and moves toward making positive changes that can address these sorts of issues.
Rankin's performance when running WINZ was simply a product of the times. It is her performance since that disqualifies her from her new role. It's kind-of sad to see people wasting their lives with ever more 'colouful' causes just to get the next publicity fix. I'm sure she's loving this current coverage.
The appointment of the 'colourful' Ms Rankin does take media attention away from the job loses at MSD today, perhaps that is the government's intention?
Colin - I think you might have gotten pretty close with the comment that "there is at least a legitimate question to be asked about whether Rankin is qualified to tell other New Zealanders how to run their families" but I think that needs to be expanded on. The last government tried to tell New Zealanders how to run their families, and it backfired on the spectacularly. If National is to keep the families commission then it has to be in a form that will not create the sort of backlash that it did previously. Rankin may provide that. She does seem to be the conservative that they're looking for. Additionally, if there is any backlash against the commission's comments or initiatives, she's already a public target from her time at Winz. So the government may cop flak from appointing her, but they may be able to distance themselves from the actual statements made by the commission?
Like you, I find it a little puzzling, but those would be the main reasons that i could see for it?
Congratulations Christine, just the person to sort out the crap left behind by the socialists. Eat your heart out you whingers I bet you will crap yourselves just at the rattle of her earings. As for you Colin, what a sorry article you must be a very frustrated, mean spirited man.Imagine what the next 12 years is going to do to you.
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Rankin brings lots of baggage with her to this position. A risk - yes, entertaining - yes, worthy of respect - no. Her 'pro-smacking' stance alone should have excluded her.