Ross on leave

The Herald reports:

National’s Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross will take a few months off from Parliament to deal with some “personal health issues”.

“There are times in life where you have to put your own health and family first. As a husband and a father I need to do that at this time,” he said in a statement today.

“That is why I have asked to have some time off on medical leave for a few months.”

In a separate statement, National leader Simon Bridges said the decision was “unrelated to the ongoing leak investigation” into his travel expenses.

Bridges told reporters that Ross’s health issue was a “very private and personal” matter.

The Botany MP had first raised the “serious” matter with Bridges last week.

“I am, and he is, focused on his wellbeing… on getting better and his young family,” the National leader said.

I hope Jami-Lee can resolve the health issue and return before too long.

Education Minister, and Leader of the House, Chris Hipkins said it was important for MPs to take time off every once in a while.

Hipkins himself was on Parliamentary leave, following the birth of his second child.

“Sometimes people do a better job as MPs if they take a bit of time out. If he needs to take a bit of time out in order to regroup and do a good job as an MP, he should do so.”

Well said from Hipkins.