Jami-Lee Ross faces fight of his life to keep Botany as resignation forces by-election in safe National seat

October 16, 2018

1 NEWS’ Katie Bradford takes a look at Mr Ross’ chances of keeping his seat.

Jami-Lee Ross faces the fight of his life to keep Auckland's Botany electorate after his resignation today triggered a by-election in the safe National seat.

Mr Ross is laying a police complaint against National Party leader Simon Bridges’ handling of electoral donations, and has accused him of being a "corrupt" politician.

It was the downfall of another National MP, Pansy Wong, in 2011, and the Botany by-election, that brought Jami-Lee Ross to Parliament.

He easily won the seat for National at three general elections, but now faces a battle to keep it.

"I'm happy to face a by-election, stand as an independent. My community will make their decision," Mr Ross told reporters today.

The Botany MP has quit Parliament and accuses Simon Bridges of electoral fraud.

Politics has been the father-of-two's life. He entered Parliament at just 25 after six years as a Manukau City Councillor.

Former ACT party deputy leader Kenneth Wang also stood in Botany.

Speaking of today's events, Mr Wang said Mr Ross is "willing to throw his personal conflicts with the leader above the party's interests and that puts some serious doubt on his personal integrity".

Botany has the highest number of people born overseas of any electorate, at 49 per cent. The majority of voters are Asian or Pacific Islanders.

And it has always been a safe National seat. Mr Ross won 62 per cent of the votes at last year's election.

In Botany today, people were shocked to hear of his resignation.

"I wouldn't support him, not after what he did," a woman said.

A man said: "Personally, think he's in the right and National Party is in the wrong." 

Mr Wang thinks the now-independent MP faces an uphill battle to hold on to the seat.

"The majority of people chose the National Party during the last election. I don't think that mood has dramatically changed," he said.

But Mr Ross asked: Do they want someone that has stood up for them for 15 years and will continue to do so? I believe I can represent Botany. I can speak out more on their behalf as an independent, and I'd like to do so."

But it's now up to the people of Botany to decide if he still has a political future.

Simon Bridges has called Mr Ross’ allegations "baseless", saying they come from someone who's "lying, leaking and lashing out".

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