Chris Baillie (politician)

Christopher John Baillie (born 1961 or 1962)[1] is a New Zealand politician who became a Member of Parliament for New Zealand at the 2020 general election, as a representative of the ACT New Zealand party.[2]

Chris Baillie

MP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for ACT party list
Assumed office
17 October 2020
Personal details
Born1961/1962 (age 58–59)
Political partyACT

Early life and career

In a speech to Parliament, Baillie said that he was born to a unionist, Labour-supporting household and he believes his contrasting political views originated from his father's support for marine engineer workers on strike. Baillie said that, at 12 years old, he considered the strike unreasonable.[3]

Baillie worked in the police for 14 years, has owned a pub, and has worked as a special needs teacher. While working as a teacher he initiated a discussion group at his school, Nayland College, prompted by what he perceived as "hysteria" about climate change, and the effect of this on student mental health.[1] Some of Baillie's former students have criticised his meetings, where he reportedly spoke out against well known climate change activists including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Greta Thunberg. Many people have criticised Baillie for being a climate change denier, however, Baillie rejects the term.[4]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2020–present 53rd List 4 ACT

Baillie joined ACT at the end of 2019. He met the party's leader, David Seymour, in early 2020 and after that meeting decided to run for Parliament.[1]

Baillie ran for the electorate of Nelson. He did not win the electorate, placing fourth with 1320 votes, but ACT won 7.6% of the party vote, which entitled it to ten MPs, including Baillie.[5][6][7] Baillie had intended to increased the ACT share of the party vote in his electorate, which he achieved, as party votes for ACT by voters in Nelson went from 137 votes in 2017 to 3,639 in 2020.[8][5] He is ACT's spokesperson for Small Business, Workplace Relations and Safety, Education, and Police.[9]

Political views

Baillie is in favour of reducing the effects of red tape on businesses. He has expressed concern about the effects on businesses of increases in the minimum wage or number of sick days, and the complexity of the personal grievance process.[8][10] Baillie is in favour of 90-day employment trials, stating "The 90-day (employment) trials in my particular business worked really well. I work with disadvantaged kids and through my policing, I've worked with people who struggle to get a job, and taking away (90-day trials) was a real disservice and made it even more of a challenge for the most vulnerable people in our society to try and get a job."[10] He is also in favour of charter schools.[10]

Personal life

Baillie plays the trumpet and has been a member of multiple jazz bands.[1] He has also played rugby for over 30 years.[11] Baillie owns The Honest Lawyer restaurant in Nelson.[8]

References
  1. Wade, Amelia (5 August 2020). "Election 2020: Party of 6? Meet the Act team who could soon become MPs". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  2. "Election 2020: The 40 diverse new MPs entering Parliament". Newstalk ZB. 18 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  3. Baillie, Chris (8 December 2020). "Address in Reply Debate - Video 59". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  4. "Future Act MP held 'climate hysteria skeptics' meetings at high school". The Spinoff. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  5. "Nelson - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  6. "2020 General Election and Referendums - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  7. "2020 General Election and Referendums - Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  8. "Election 2020: New ACT MP Chris Baillie needs a place to live in Wellington". Stuff. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  9. "Chris Baillie". ACT New Zealand. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  10. "Who is filling up ACTs possible 11 seats in parliament?". Newshub. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  11. Doyle, Katie (1 August 2020). "Top five contenders who could join ACT leader David Seymour in Parliament". Radio NZ. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
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