Barbara Lynne Pillay (born 14 August 1950) is a New Zealand politician, and member of the Labour Party.

Lynne Pillay
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Waitakere
In office
27 July 2002 – 8 November 2008
Preceded byBrian Neeson
Succeeded byPaula Bennett
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Labour party list
In office
8 November 2008 – 26 November 2011
Personal details
Born14 August 1950
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Political partyLabour
OccupationNurse

Pillay was born in Palmerston North. Before entering politics, she was a nurse, and had been active in the New Zealand Nurses Union.

Member of Parliament

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2002–2005 47th Waitakere 39 Labour
2005–2008 48th Waitakere 40 Labour
2008–2011 49th List 32 Labour

She was first elected to Parliament in the 2002 election, winning the Waitakere electorate. Her main rival was Alliance leader Laila Harré. Pillay had previously contested the safe National seat of Tamaki in the 1999 election, and had missed out on election as a list MP by only one place.

In 2006, Pillay's Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot.[1] The bill removed the legislative ban on women serving in combat roles in the New Zealand Defence Force.[2] The bill was subsequently adopted by the government before its third reading, and passed unanimously as the Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Act 2007.[3]

In the 2008 general election Pillay was defeated by National candidate Paula Bennett, with a margin of 632 votes. Pillay was ranked 32 on the Labour Party list and was elected into the 49th parliament as a list MP.[4]

On 3 December 2009 Pillay announced that she would retire at the 2011 election.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  2. ^ "Another salvo fired for women's rights". Scoop Media. 7 September 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  3. ^ "NZ secures clean bill of health on rights for women". New Zealand Government. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Election results – Waitakere". NZ Chief Electoral Office. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  5. ^ "Lynne Pillay confirms she will stand down in 2011". Scoop Media. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
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New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Waitakere
2002–2008
Succeeded by