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Duncan Webb

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The Honourable
Duncan Webb
MP
Webb in 2020
17th Minister for State Owned Enterprises
In office
1 February 2023 – 27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChris Hipkins
Preceded byDavid Clark
Succeeded byPaul Goldsmith
15th Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
In office
1 February 2023 – 27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChris Hipkins
Preceded byDavid Clark
Succeeded byAndrew Bayly
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Christchurch Central
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 September 2017
Preceded byNicky Wagner
Majority14,098
Personal details
Born1966 or 1967 (age 57–58)[1]
England
Political partyLabour (1999–present)
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Canterbury
ProfessionLawyer
WebsiteLabour Party profile

Duncan Alexander Webb (born 1967) is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. He was elected as a Member the New Zealand House of Representatives for Christchurch Central, representing the Labour Party, in the 2017 general election.

He was Chief Government Whip, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Minister for State Owned Enterprises in the Sixth Labour Government.

Early life and career

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Webb moved to Christchurch from London in 1974 when he was six years old.[1] His father had attended Bible college before becoming a pastor at the Māori Evangelical Fellowship Church in Wainoni. After briefly living in Aranui, Webb's family moved to South Brighton where he grew up along with his four siblings.[2]

He attended Shirley Boys' High School and left before finishing his final year, proceeding directly to the University of Canterbury to study law.[1][2] Webb graduated Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1989 before being awarded a Doctor of Laws in 2007.[3]

Webb currently lives in Christchurch and has worked as a lawyer and as a law professor at University of Canterbury.[4] Webb has also worked for the Public Interest Project, which seeks to get innocent people out of jail, and for the Howard League, which promotes prisoners’ rights.[5] He is a long-time member of the Labour party, joining in 1999.[6][2] He has three sons.[4] He split from his wife, Tania, in 2016.[1]

Member of Parliament

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2017–2020 52nd Christchurch Central 43 Labour
2020–2023 53rd Christchurch Central 43 Labour
2023–present 54th Christchurch Central 20 Labour

A long-time member of the Labour Party, Webb was Brendon Burns' campaign chairman during the 2011 election when Burns lost Christchurch Central to National candidate Nicky Wagner.[2] Labour had failed to regain the seat in the 2014 election and Webb was selected as the party's candidate for the 2017 election.[7] Webb's campaign chair was the former mayor of Christchurch Garry Moore.[1] Webb defeated Wagner by 2,871 votes.[8] After the election, Labour formed a coalition government with New Zealand First and the Green Party.

In Webb's first term of Parliament, he served on various select committees including Regulations Review (2017–2020), Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (2017–2018), Justice (2018–2019), Finance and Expenditure (2017–2020) and Environment (as chair, 2019–2020).[9][10] Webb's first member's bill, the Fair Trading (Oppressive Contracts) Amendment Bill, was introduced in March 2018 but was discharged that May without a first reading.[11]

During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Webb was re-elected in Christchurch Central, defeating National candidate Dale Stephens by 14,098 votes.[12] On 2 November 2020, following the election, he became one of three junior whips for the Labour Party and was also appointed chair of the Finance and Expenditure select committee.[10] After a June 2022 Cabinet reshuffle, in which senior whip Kieran McAnulty became a minister, Webb was promoted to senior whip.[13]

A private Bill on behalf of the Girl Guides Association (New Zealand branch), which was concerned with the disposition of property held by the association in Waitākere, was introduced by Webb in 2021.[14] However, the social services committee recommended it not proceed.[15] Webb's second member's bill, the Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill, was introduced to the House on 23 September 2021. The purpose of the Bill is to make it clear that company directors can take actions that take into account wider matters other than the company's finances.[16]

On 31 January 2023, prime minister Chris Hipkins announced a Cabinet reshuffle, in which Webb was appointed a Minister outside of Cabinet,[17] with the portfolios of commerce and consumer affairs and state owned enterprises.[18] He held these positions until the government left office in November 2023. As commerce minister, Webb took responsibility for work regulating the supermarket industry. He appointed the first New Zealand Grocery Commissioner[19] and instituted unit pricing regulations.[20] With finance minister Grant Robertson, he announced a market study of the banking sector.[21] As minister for state owned enterprises, he instituted reviews into KiwiRail disruptions and weather forecasting.[22][23]

Webb was re-elected in Christchurch Central for a third time in October 2023, defeating Dale Stephens by a decreased margin of 1,841 votes.[24] He is currently the Deputy Shadow Leader of the House and holds the justice, regulation, Earthquake Commission, and Christchurch Issues portfolios in the Shadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins.[25]

On 5 December 2023, Webb was granted retention of the title The Honourable, in recognition of his term as a member of the Executive Council.[26]

Political positions

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In his maiden speech, Webb identified himself as a socialist.[27] He voted in favour of the End of Life Choice Bill in 2019[28] and Abortion Legislation Bill in 2020.[29]

Palestinian advocacy

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Webb has also defended the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign as a form of non-violent protest against Israeli policies towards the Palestinians.[30] In early June 2018, Webb also presented a petition on behalf of Palestinian solidarity activist Donna Miles that asked Parliament to request the New Zealand Superannuation Fund to divest from "illegal" Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[31] In August 2018, Webb hosted a meeting with Unite Union Director Mike Treen, who participated in the International Freedom Flotilla's attempt that year to breach the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.[32][33] Webb's Palestinian activism has drawn criticism from Zionist advocacy groups including the Israel Institute of New Zealand (IINZ), the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC),[34][35] and the New Zealand Jewish Council.[36]

On 11 May 2021, Webb and 16 other New Zealand Members of Parliament donned keffiyeh to mark World Keffiyeh Day.[37]

Despite his vocal support for the Palestinians, Webb expressed disagreement with the use of the controversial chant "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." The chant has been alleged to be associated with anti-Semitism and support for Hamas. Following controversy around Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick's use of the phrase during a Palestinian solidarity rally held in response to the 2023 Israel-Hamas war in November 2023, Webb said "he didn't participate if the chant started at rallies he attended."[38]

In early August 2024, Webb attracted controversy after posting an Instagram video where he spoke at a rally where protesters chanted "Hey, Luxon, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?." Webb also gave a speech denouncing the "demonisation" of Palestinians, alleged "Israeli apartheid," and calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. While Labour leader Chris Hipkins initially defended Webb, he subsequently expressed disagreement with the chants used during the protest. In response, National Party leader and Prime Minister Luxon denounced Webb's behaviour as "beyond the pale" and labelled Hipkins a hypocrite for not taking stronger action against Webb.[39]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e McCrone, John (29 April 2017). "The year of the door-knock: Duncan Webb's tilt at Christchurch Central". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Rutherford, Bridget (19 February 2017). "Lawyer's bid to reclaim former staunch seat for Labour". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Graduate Search". University of Canterbury. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Duncan Webb Nominated for Christchurch Central". Scoop. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Dr Duncan Webb". New Zealand Labour Party. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Duncan Webb Selected to Stand for Labour in Christchurch". Scoop. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Revised Labour Party List for the 2017 Election". Scoop. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Official Count Results – Christchurch Central (2017)". Electoral Commission. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Winners and losers – PM reveals first substantive Cabinet reshuffle". Radio New Zealand. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Dr Duncan Webb". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Fair Trading (Oppressive Contracts) Amendment Bill 42-1 (2018), Members Bill Contents – New Zealand Legislation". www.legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Christchurch Central – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  13. ^ Manch, Thomas (13 June 2022). "Labour's new Cabinet – who's in, who's out, as Trevor Mallard and Kris Faafoi resign". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Girl Guides Association (New Zealand Branch) Incorporation Amendment Bill — First Reading – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Girl Guides Association (New Zealand Branch) Incorporation Amendment Bill – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  17. ^ "New Cabinet focused on bread and butter issues". Beehive.govt.nz. 31 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Prime Minister Chris Hipkins reveals Cabinet reshuffle". Radio NZ. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  19. ^ "First Grocery Commissioner appointed to hold sector to account". The Beehive. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Clearer pricing at supermarkets imminent". The Beehive. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Market study to investigate banking competition". The Beehive. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Government launches rapid review into KiwiRail disruptions". The Beehive. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Government to review weather forecasting system". The Beehive. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Christchurch Central – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins reveals new shadow Cabinet". Radio New Zealand. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Retention of the title "The Honourable"". New Zealand Gazette. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  27. ^ Matthews, Philip (16 November 2017). "Duncan Webb: Parliament's dad-joking socialist". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017.
  28. ^ "End of Life Choice Bill — Third Reading – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Abortion Legislation Bill — Third Reading – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  30. ^ Duncan Webb [@DuncanWebbMP] (30 April 2019). "Boycott Divestment & Sanctions is a form of non-violent protest. It is a concrete way to express a political view condemning the policies adopted by the Israeli govt towards Palestine. We need to ensure that free speech rights like this are not shut down" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 24 July 2019 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "Petition: SuperFund divest from illegal settlements". Kia Ora Gaza. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  32. ^ Cumin, David (14 August 2018). "Israel Institute calls on government to distance itself from terrorism". Israel Institute of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  33. ^ "Say no to the Israel Institute's call". Palestine Human Rights Campaign. Scoop. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  34. ^ Cumin, David (2 May 2019). "New Zealand Labour MP continues extreme anti-Israel stance". Israel Institute of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  35. ^ Cumin, David; Levin, Naomi (30 May 2019). "NZ Government should stand up to MP bringing them down". AIJAC. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  36. ^ Jewish Council, New Zealand (20 May 2019). "NZ Jewish Council criticizes Christchurch Central MP". Scoop. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  37. ^ Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (11 May 2021). "MPs Showing Solidarity With Palestinians At A Time When It Is So Desperately Needed". Scoop. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021.
  38. ^ McConnell, Glenn (7 November 2023). "'A very loaded statement': Chris Hipkins expects Labour MPs to avoid 'river to sea' chant". Stuff. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  39. ^ McCulloch, Craig (7 August 2024). "Labour MP publishes Palestine protest video asking Luxon: 'How many kids did you kill?'". RNZ. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
[edit]
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central
2017–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for State Owned Enterprises
2023 		Succeeded by
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
2023 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Senior Whip of the Labour Party
2022–2023 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Duncan_Webb&oldid=1260873742"