Get well Winnie
February 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm by David FarrarCabinet Minister Winnie Laban has revealed she has breast cancer, and is having chemotherapy treatment.
While one would have sympathy any MP who has cancer (even the other Winnie!), it is worth noting that Laban is one of those MPs who is held in genuine affection by MPs from all parties. She is a very pleasant and dedicated person.
Laban hopes publicity over her case will encourage other women to have regular checks. It was the sort of cancer than can’t be detected by self examination, but was picked up by a mammogram.
It’s just like voting – check early and check often!
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February 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I agree I hope she gets well soon, she is an absolute gem of a person and does fantastic work for the PI community
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I thoroughly endorse the comments above. She is a magnificent person who personifies all that is best in a person and who moves with ease in any community. She is a magnificent MP whose amazing talents should have been better used by having more cabinet responsibility.
Please get well soon
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Regardless of where we sit on the political spectrum, we should be united in our good wishes for Winnie – she is one MP about whom I’ve never heard an unkind word; a rare breed indeed.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Sign of the times eh? The increased involvement of women in politics leads to more genuine and deserved public awareness of this condition – I hope that Ms Laban does well on her treatment, and recovers, and that her example will encourage women of all communities and their menfolk to take the process of regular screening very seriously.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I thought I took more than a passing interest in politics but had never heard of her!
Vote:Best wishes . She is evidently thought of in a good light
February 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I have met Winnie a few times and can confirm that she is a hard working, thoughtful and demonstrably compassionate person. These are rare qualities in an MP and I hope that she gets well soon. I think she has had a raw deal from Labour and is highly worthy of a seat inside rather than outside Cabinet.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
But she is a member of the Labour Party. I do not care how nice she is, she is a member of that Party. Leave the party and do something good for society.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
You’re such a treasure, tim, you really are.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I would echo thehawkreturns
I have never heard of her!
….and I thought I knew all the cabinet, by name if not in action.
But cancer is not something to be wished on anyone-
Not least someone that most of you hold in high regard.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I too hope she enjoys a complete recovery. But it’s fair comment for people to say they’ve never heard of her. That’s because she was parachuted into a safe Labour seat and then (if memory serves correctly) had to be rescued with a list position due to her invisibility. And while I stand to be corrected, in politics invisibility usually = complete ineffectiveness.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
She did not have to be rescued with a list position:
http://2005.electionresults.govt.nz/electorate-22.html
She is not in Cabinet. But she is very well known in the Pacific Island community. And invisible does not mean ineffective. I can think of quite a few MPs who have had more media coverage, but probably wish they hadn’t!
In any event, I wish her well.
Vote:February 5th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I’ve heard of her and her work, and also her work ethic. I met her once: what a gracious person. I wish her all the best for her recovery and her positive spirit will hopefully continue to carry her.
Vote:Rex, in this case a low profile means that the MP in question is doing the hard yards in both her portfolio and in her community, but is not going out of her way to attract media or spin.
What a shame you appear to only pay attention to political celebrities / those with a high profile, and that you somehow equate that status with effectiveness or results.
Admittedly, hard work without bleating about it and hogging the limelight is is the minority approach in politics.
Another reason why I wish Winnie a speedy recovery!
February 6th, 2008 at 10:11 am
She would be the nicest MP I’ve met – although I did give her a hard time at an election meeting in 2002 about Labour’s indirect taxes (I lived in Porirua at the time) she still was nice to me afterwards. Best wishes, Winnie!
Tim – go stick your head in a pig.
Vote:February 6th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
She may be nice but nice does not mean I give her political support. If she wants to be nice go and work for a charity. That fact the she is a member of the most corrupt and venal political organisation in NZ makes her NOT a nice person.
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