19 Sep 2018
While his name's synonymous with the ACT Party, and for some, Dancing with the Stars, many New Zealanders mightn’t know David Seymour is a qualified electrical engineer. He started his career as an engineer, but before long he moved to Canada to work as a policy analyst for a private sector think tank. He’s one of five engineers in his family and one of two in Parliament (the other is Nick Smith MP FEngNZ). David was elected to Parliament in September 2014.
David Seymour
Every engineer’s “typical day” differs. So, each edition, EG goes behind the scenes to find out exactly how an engineer with an interesting or unusual role spends their time.
05:00 Wake up, get to the airport, have breakfast, board plane.
08:00 Arrive at Parliament and meet my EA, press secretary and policy advisor. Work out where the media opportunities are, our meetings, how I’m voting on bills and whether I’ll speak on them or ask questions in the House.
09:00 Select Committee. The agenda varies, but may include examining legislation, hearing public submissions, a presentation for the Treasury or Reserve Bank Governor, or grilling a Minister on spending in their portfolio.
11:00 Meet with lobbyists for interest groups who might have a view on a particular issue. Some people say lobbying is dirty, but if, for example, the electricity industry didn’t have people explaining to MPs how the electricity market works and how it might be impacted by legislation, who would be doing it?
11:30 Deal with media on the issue of the day. Aim to get ACT’s view reported accurately and consistently so voters know what we offer.
12:00 Take the team for lunch. I am proud to have good people in my office and I like to stay connected with them. It’s a time to talk strategy, what's going on in the political world and what we need to do next.
13:00 Get back to Parliament, prepare for Question Time if I'm asking a question. Check how the media cycle is going before doing the “bridge run” where MPs walk the gauntlet of journalists .
14:00 The House begins with Question Time. If I have a question I’m focused on asking it then getting any new information out to traditional and social media. If not, I’m alternating between reading the news or policy documents or replying to emails and watching the circus unfold around me.
15:00 Grab an afternoon caffeine boost on the way back to the office, or stay in the House if I need to speak on a bill. Record a video on the day/week’s political happenings for my social media channels.
16:00 Read public submissions on the End of Life Choice Bill which I sponsor that would legalise assisted dying for those who are ill and suffering and want choice about when and how they die. There have been a record number of submissions and shepherding it through the lawmaking process is a major task.
17:00 Meet with the cross-party team working to get the Bill passed. Work out how MPs are thinking of voting and why, with the aim of making sure we maintain a majority in support.
18:00 The House rises for dinner break. Go to a function hosted by, perhaps, Engineering New Zealand. Ask people what they think the Government is doing right and wrong, how we could improve as an opposition party.
19:30 The House resumes. If I’m not speaking in the House I’ll stay in my office and read up on upcoming legislation and potential policy ideas for the future, return calls or make calls to raise money for the Party.
22:00 The House rises for the day – time to go to my apartment.
