Crusher's cabinet comeback
The game of pass the portfolio is somewhat more involved than had been anticipated.
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Hawke's Bay
See also: Collins back as Minister for Trolling
As previewed this morning, the prime minister has confirmed that Trade Minister Tim Groser will head to Washington to replace Mike Moore as Ambassador to the United States before Christmas.
However, the game of pass the portfolio is somewhat more involved than had been anticipated.
Paula Bennett is now taking on the departing minister’s climate change issues role in addition to her other portfolios – except for local government, which goes to Sam Lotu-Iiga.
Todd McClay will now take up Mr Groser’s trade portfolio and continue with state owned enterprises, but hand off his revenue responsibilities to Michael Woodhouse – whose police portfolio will now be handed to Judith Collins.
Mrs Collins’ comeback to cabinet is completed by also taking on corrections, which Mr Lotu-Iiga will presumably be more than happy to see the back of.
In a snap poll this morning, a majority of participating NBR subscribers – 56% – said Mrs Collins should be reinstated in cabinet, after resigning over allegations prior to the last election that she has since been officially cleared of.
That result – and the fact that Mr Key has again made room for her around the table – demonstrates what an effective job of rehabilitating her image Mrs Collins has done in recent months: in May this year, when asked if she deserved a place in cabinet again, 18% of respondents said she should be reinstated immediately and 31% when a place becomes available, while 51% believed she had already had her final, final chance and shouldn’t get another crack.
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Nick Grant
Mon, 07 Dec 2015
Mon, 07 Dec 2015
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Crusher's cabinet comeback
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