Jackie Blue

Jacqueline Diane Miller MNZM (née Blue, born 1956), commonly known as Jackie Blue, is a New Zealand politician and former member of Parliament for the National Party.[1][2]

For other uses, see Jackie Blue (disambiguation).

Blue in 2019

Personal life

Blue was born in 1956. She attended Selwyn College in Auckland, and then went on to gain a BSc from the University of Auckland in 1976 and MB ChB from Auckland Medical School in 1983. Her particular area of specialty is breast cancer, and she is a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel at the Breast Cancer Research Trust.[3] Blue gained prominence in the medical sector as a pioneering breast physician.

Blue is married and has two children. One of her daughters, Paddy, has served as Equity Officer of the Victoria University of Wellington Students Association in 2018.

Political life
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2005–2008 48th List 41 National
2008–2011 49th List 45 National
2011–2013 50th List 46 National

Blue's previous political involvement included service on a District Health Board as an elected member from the centre-right Citizens and Ratepayers Now organisation. She resigned from this shortly after being elected a National MP.

In the 2005 general election, Blue stood as the National Party's candidate in the Mt Roskill electorate. She was unsuccessful in winning the traditionally safe Labour seat from high-profile Labour MP Phil Goff, but entered Parliament as a list MP, having been ranked 41st on the National Party list. In her first term as an Opposition MP, Blue had responsibilities as the spokeswoman for the National Party on women's issues, as well as associate health. Subsequent to her election to Parliament, Blue strongly advocated for further available health care for sufferers of breast cancer, including wider use of the anti-cancer drug Herceptin.

An office of Jackie Blue's near Auckland.

In 2006, Blue's Human Tissue (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot.[4] The bill passed its first reading and was sent to select committee, but was defeated at its second reading.[4]

In 2008, Blue sought the National Party candidacy in Auckland Central electorate, where she has been a long-term resident. Blue lost the contest to the much younger Nikki Kaye who went on to win the seat. Blue was subsequently unsuccessful in standing against incumbent MP Phil Goff in Mt Roskill for a second time, but was returned to Parliament as a List MP at the 2008 election.

In May 2010 Blue's Consumer Guarantees Amendment Bill, which extends the Consumer Guarantees Act to cover online auctions, was drawn from the member's ballot.[5] It passed its first reading and was sent to select committee in July 2010.[5]

In November 2011, Blue stood for a third time in Mt Roskill against Goff, but was unsuccessful. She was returned to Parliament for a third time as a List MP.

Blue was appointed Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission in April 2013[2] and took up the position in June 2013. She resigned from Parliament and was replaced by Paul Foster-Bell.[6]

As Commissioner she urged New Zealand sporting bodies to "level the playing field" for women.[7]

In 2018 she told a UN committee before leaving the Human Rights Commission that successive governments have failed New Zealand women over domestic violence, the number one human rights issue.[8]

In the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours, Blue was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to women and the State.[9]

References
  1. http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/5/4/2/50MP127261-Blue-Jackie.htm
  2. "Blue quits Beehive for commissioner's job". 3 News NZ. 16 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  3. http://www.breastcancercure.org.nz/corporate/scientific-advisory-panel%5B%5D
  4. "Human Tissue (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  5. "Consumer Guarantees Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  6. "Diplomat to become new National MP". 3 News. 24 April 2013. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  7. "Dr Jackie Blue urges NZ sporting bodies to level the playing field". Stuff (Fairfax). 26 November 2017.
  8. "Gender-based violence NZ's shame Womens' rights Commissioner tells UN". Stuff (Fairfax). 17 July 2018.
  9. "Queen's Birthday honours list 2019". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
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