25 Facts About Iain Lees-Galloway

Iain Lees-Galloway represented the Palmerston North electorate in Parliament for the Labour Party.

Iain Lees-Galloway was the Minister for Workplace Relations, Immigration, and ACC.

Iain Lees-Galloway was dismissed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern from Cabinet on 22 July 2020 after an affair with a staff member over a period of 12 months.

Iain Lees-Galloway did not stand for reelection in the 2020 election.

Iain Lees-Galloway moved to Palmerston North to study at Massey University where he was president of the Massey University Students' Association in 2005.

Iain Lees-Galloway graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Massey in 2016.

Iain Lees-Galloway joined the Labour Party in 2005 and became chairman of the Palmerston North branch in the following year.

Iain Lees-Galloway was selected as successor to retiring MP Steve Maharey, who became Vice Chancellor of Massey University, in a contested Labour Party selection for the 2008 election.

Iain Lees-Galloway defeated the National Party candidate, Malcolm Plimmer, with a majority of 1,117 votes.

Iain Lees-Galloway was confirmed in the 2011 election with a majority increased from 1,117 in 2008 to 3,285 in the latest election.

Iain Lees-Galloway served as junior whip for the Labour Party from 2013 to 2014.

Iain Lees-Galloway has had three bills drawn from the member's ballot.

The Government announced their own legislation that would do the same after Iain Lees-Galloway's bill was drawn.

Iain Lees-Galloway submitted an amendment to the Employment Standards Legislation Bill that addressed the issue and was approved overwhelmingly.

Iain Lees-Galloway has declared the reforms "a win for working people" of New Zealand.

Iain Lees-Galloway was designated as Minister of Immigration by the Labour Party caucus following Labour's formation of a coalition government with New Zealand First and the Greens.

In October and November 2018, Iain Lees-Galloway was criticised by the opposition National Party over his decision to grant residency to the convicted Czech drug smuggler Karel Sroubek, who had a lengthy criminal record in both the Czech Republic and New Zealand.

In December 2018, Iain Lees-Galloway attributed his decision to Immigration New Zealand's failure to provide information on Sroubek's criminal activities in the Czech Republic.

On 22 July 2020 Iain Lees-Galloway was dismissed from his immigration, workplace relations and ACC ministerial portfolios by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after admitting an inappropriate but consensual relationship with a person working in one of his agencies.

Iain Lees-Galloway issued a statement admitting that he had acted "completely inappropriately" in his position and could not continue as a minister.

Iain Lees-Galloway apologised to the Prime Minister and his family "for letting them down".

Iain Lees-Galloway kept a generally low profile after the demotion, apart from going to Parliament to give his valedictory speech.

On 29 September 2020, Iain Lees-Galloway was granted retention of the title "The Honourable" for life, in recognition of his term as a member of the Executive Council.

Iain Lees-Galloway started a business venture called Here's Good, which would provide information about and promotion for businesses and aid in donating to good causes.

Iain Lees-Galloway is married to intermediate teacher Clare; the couple have three children.