English’s reshuffle ruffles a few feathers
Prime Minister Bill English has delivered a surprisingly cautious reshuffle, putting off some of the biggest calls for later in the year.
Foreign Minister Murray Mccully and Education Minister Hekia Parata hold on to their jobs in the meantime, despite signalling they will quit at the next election.
But they will go to the backbench on May 1, making way for fresh blood in those roles.
English said Nikki Kaye, who is battling breast cancer, would likely move into the education role if her health allowed. In the meantime she would have a relatively light workload as minister for youth and associate minister of education.
But he refused to say who would step into foreign affairs, although leadership contender Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is widely tipped to be in line for it. He keeps his health, sport and recreation portfolios but slips one place to seventh in the rankings.
English said the new line-up built on the success of the last eight years and provided ‘‘new ideas and energy heading into election year’’.
But Labour Deputy Leader Annette King said it was underwhelming and did not offer the rejuvenation English promised.
‘‘It’s a combination of the conservative, vindictiveness and mateship.’’
Four new ministers have been created led by Alfred Ngaro, who goes straight into Cabinet with responsibility for Pacific peoples, and the community and voluntary sector, with associate responsibility for children and social housing.
Other new ministers are former select committee chairs Mark Mitchell, who gets land information and statistics, Jacqui Dean, who picks up small business, consumer affairs and commerce, and David Bennett, who will be responsible for veterans’ affairs and food safety.
The biggest loser, aside from those who who had already signalled last week they were leaving, was Jo Goodhew who said she was ‘‘naturally disappointed’’ to lose her ministerial ranking.
English said he was considering other roles for her, sparking speculation she would pick up a deputy or associate speaker role.
However, Judith Collins, who failed in a bid for the leadership against English, has been demoted from 14 to 16 in the rankings and has lost the two portfolios identified with her ‘‘crusher’’ reputation; police and corrections. She instead picks up revenue, energy and resources and ethnic communities.
In a surprise move Louise Upston is handed the difficult corrections job but sheds women’s affairs, which goes to Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett – a move that King welcomed as bringing women’s affairs into the heart of Cabinet
That will be part of a huge workload for Bennett which includes state services, tourism, police and climate change.
Justice Minister Amy Adams picks up Bennett’s social housing role as well as responsibility for Housing New Zealand and rises to sixth in the rankings.
But Nick Smith, widely tipped by commentators as a demotion prospect, keeps the third leg of the housing role, although the name has been changed from building and housing to building and construction, as well as the environment role.
King said English had protected one of his best mates, Nick Smith, who he goes with on Christmas holiday.
‘‘Bill English denied there was a housing crisis and now he doesn’t even want to have a Minister of Housing. It’s the first time under a National Government there has not been a Minister of Housing.’’
Gerry Brownlee retains defence and the earthquake portfolios and remains Leader of the House.
As expected Simon Bridges picks up economic development from new Finance Minister Steven Joyce and communications role to add to his transport. Joyce will also be responsible for infrastructure.
The broadcasting portfolio has been disestablished and divided between communications on the one hand, and arts, culture and heritage on the other. – NZ