Publication: ph20012012

Defeated National Party list MP Paul Quinn says he plans “to go back to earning a living”.

Mr Quinn unsuccessfully contested the Hutt South electorate for National at the November 26 general election.  And at 55 on National’s list, he missed out on being returned as a list MP by two places. That means his parliamentary career is over - for the time being - after one three-year term, despite his party’s landslide re-election.

“I‘ll go back to doing what I was doing before – working in the corporate world and giving advice to companies.”

Mr Quinn says he is satisfied with his campaign in Hutt South, despite finishing 4825 votes behind sitting Labour MP Trevor Mallard, although National won the Hutt South party vote by almost 2000 votes.

“We gave it our best shot. We ran a pretty good campaign. There were lots of candidates’ meetings. We had more hoardings and more leaflets than anyone else.”

The result also means one fewer MP from the Wellington region. But Mr Quinn is more concerned that it leaves Hutt South without a voice in government. “You can scream all you like in opposition but no one will take any notice of you.”

Among his achievements in parliament Mr Quinn says he is most proud of increasing the amount of 

funding available to the Hutt based crown research institute IRL and ensuring a suggested relocation of IRL to Auckland did not take place.

“I’ve enjoyed working with people throughout the whole Hutt Valley. I’ve done a lot of work in Petone. I get a lot of satisfaction helping the Thumbs Up Trust into their new building.”

Although he won’t say definitely, Mr Quinn says a return to politics in 2014 is unlikely.  “I think it’s a long shot.”