Information AboutDon Brash |
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Dr Donald Thomas Brash (born 24 September 1940 ), New Zealand politician, has served as the Leader Of The Opposition and parliamentary leader of the National Party , the country's main Opposition Party since October 2003. Before entering politics, Brash worked as Governor of the Reserve Bank Of New Zealand . At the New Zealand General Election on 17 September 2005 , National under Brash's leadership made major gains, and achieved the party's best result under the new MMP electoral system, compared to their worst result ever in 2002. Final results placed National two seats behind the incumbent New Zealand Labour Party . Most of its gains apparently came from minor right-wing parties rather than from Labour. In the days after the election it seemed unlikely that Brash would be able to win the necessary support from other parties to form a government. EARLY LIFE Born in Wanganui , the son of a Protestant minister, Brash moved with his family to Christchurch at the age of six. He attended the Christchurch Boys' High School and the University Of Canterbury where he graduated in Economics , History and Political Science . He then continued his studies in economics, receiving his Master's Degree in 1961 . The following year he began working towards a Ph.D. at the Australian National University . In 1966 , Brash went to Washington to work as an economist for the World Bank . In 1971 , however, he returned to New Zealand to serve as the general manager of Broadbank Corporation , a Merchant Bank . Brash's first entry into politics came in 1980 when the National Party selected him to stand as its candidate in the By-election in the East Coast Bays electorate. Brash's attempt at the seat, however, failed — some believe that this resulted from the decision by Robert Muldoon , National Party Prime Minister , to raise tolls on the Auckland Harbour Bridge , an important route for East Coast Bays residents. The seat went to Gary Knapp of the Social Credit Party . Brash again failed to win the seat at the General Election Of 1981 . In 1982 Brash became managing director at the New Zealand Kiwifruit Authority , which oversaw the Export of Kiwifruit (he still grows kiwifruit as a hobby). Later, in 1986 , he became general manager of Trust Bank , a newly-established Banking group. RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR In 1988 Brash became Governor of the Reserve Bank Of New Zealand , a position which he held for the next 14 years. Most commentators praised his performance in this position. Others said that Brash paid too much attention to the strict control of Inflation - though the Reserve Bank legislation and policy targets specifically establish price stability (i.e. low inflation) as the Bank's primary goal - leading to increasing unemployment as a result. Other critics argue that poor monetary policy contributed to an excessively strong Exchange-rate during the mid-1990s. Aside from Monetary Policy , Brash presided over significant changes in banking supervision, with the New Zealand approach emphasising public disclosure by banks regarding the nature of their assets and liabilities. Major changes also took place in the currency used in New Zealand during Brash's tenure, notably the introduction of Polymer bank notes, and the replacement of Queen Elizabeth 's face on most of the bank notes. Many notes in circulation As Of 2005 still carry the signature of Brash from his term as Governor. ENTERING POLITICS On 26 April 2002 , shortly before the General Election , Brash resigned as Reserve Bank Governor to stand once more as a National Party candidate for Parliament. He was ranked fifth on National's Party List - exceptional treatment for a newcomer from outside the House of Representatives, and all but assuring him of a seat in Parliament. Most unusually among National candidates, he stood as a list candidate without running for an Electorate Seat . Though National had its worst performance ever, gaining only 21% of the vote, Brash was able to enter Parliament. Brash immediately became National's spokesman on finance. This placed him opposite the Labour Party 's Michael Cullen , the Minister Of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister . Commentators generally praised Brash for his knowledge of economics, but expressed criticism of his inexperience in terms of political Leadership . |
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