Muldoon spoiled Brash's early efforts

By HELEN TUNNAH

For Don Brash, it was a harsh introduction to politics.

As National's candidate in the East Coast Bays by-election in 1980, his chances of winning were crushed by his own side.

Days out from the vote, then prime minister Sir Robert Muldoon announced a sharp increase in Auckland harbour bridge tolls - sinking any chance Brash had of winning the seat.

Two decades on, the suspicion remains that Muldoon's timing was no accident.

Brash lost the seat twice in two years to Social Credit, and quit politics until he was lured back into the fold last year as part of former party president Michelle Boag's cleanout of caucus "deadwood".

Brash spent his early years in Wanganui and Canterbury before developing a career as an economist.

He had stints with the World Bank, Broadbank Corporation and the Kiwifruit Authority.

During the 1980s he became a favourite of the then Lange-led Labour Government, which embarked on harsh economic reforms after ousting Sir Robert in 1984, Brash chairing many Government-appointed committees on taxation, including GST.

He was appointed Reserve Bank Governor in 1988, a job he held until he resigned to join National last May.

Brash, married with three children, moved to Auckland as a candidate and swept on to National's list at number 5 - promoted by Boag as the future finance minister.

However, party insiders were immediately concerned his arrival might signal a lurch to the right.

Dr Brash's "core beliefs" on his website show he favours low taxation, little government involvement in labour laws and freedom of choice.

He says he doesn't want to live in a society where those who cannot provide for themselves are not helped by others, although he doesn't necessarily think it is the state's job.

He caused a mild ruckus this year when his thoughts of overhauling the welfare system invoked visions of the jobless having to line up outside post offices for work and pay cheques.