David Parker returns to Labour's front bench in reshuffle

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See also:  Little's careful shuffle

Labour former finance spokesman, David Parker, has returned to the party's parliamentary front bench with a brace of weighty portfolios, including environment, water, regulatory affairs and the information communications technology sector in a reshuffle unveiled by party leader Andrew Little.

Billed as the line-up that will contest the 2017 election, the pre-Christmas reshuffle represents a significant rehabilitation for Mr Parker, whose advocacy for capital gains tax, a higher pension entitlement age, and re-regulation of the electricity sector came to be seen as primary obstacles to Labour's electability in 2014.

The reshuffle also rewards Auckland MPs Phil Twyford and Jacinda Ardern, who move to fourth and fifth in the Labour shadow Cabinet, compared with fifth and ninth in the post-election shadow ministry that Mr Little appointed a year ago after wresting the leadership from David Cunliffe.

Also winners in the reshuffle are Megan Woods, who moves from 13th to 10th, retaining climate change responsibilities while giving up environmental policy to Mr Parker.

Kelvin Davis picks up Maori Affairs from Nanaia Mahuta, who falls from fourth to 12th in the shadow Cabinet, having failed to gain traction in Maori Affairs and lost profile after being the only woman and Maori Labour MP to contest last year's leadership election after Labour's disastrous September 2014 election loss.

David Clark moves from 10th to ninth in the line-up, adding the trade portfolio, previously held by Mr Parker, to his economic development and associate health and finance roles.

Sue Moroney has moved up the ranks of the so-called "unranked" MPs, picking up the transport portfolio from Mr Twyford, who retains housing, building and construction and Auckland issues. Ms Ardern retains her justice, arts and heritage, children's and small business responsibilities, with a new role backing up Mr Twyford on Auckland issues.

Along with Ms Mahuta, among the biggest losers in the reshuffle are: Clare Curran, who keeps broadcasting but cedes the lead on ICT to Mr Parker, and Mr Cunliffe, who was ranked 14th in the line-up last year and is now amongst the lowest listed of the "unranked' MPs. Mr Little says Mr Cunliffe is working closely with him on a superannuation policy revamp, which Labour will carry into the next election.

Phil Goff's position as the last MP in the line-up, while retaining the defence portfolio, reflects his recent decision to run for mayor of Auckland in next year's local body elections.

Also on the slide are two MPs previously in the shadow Cabinet, Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway and Mangere MP Su'a William Sio.

Among mid-ranked MPs on the up are Stuart Nash, who has added police to his energy, revenue and forestry responsibilities and first-term MP Jenny Salesa, from the Manukau East electorate, previously listed last on the caucus list. Salesa is elevated along with Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare, who is given the newly created portfolio of urban Maori. Meka Whaitiri. He came to Parliament in a by-election before the 2014 election and loses the water portfolio to Mr Parker but moves up the ranks with responsibility for local government.

Clayton Cosgrove, whom Mr Little described as having "got his mojo back," moves up the ranks and picks up the commerce portfolio from Kris Faafoi.

Long-serving MPs Trevor Mallard and Ruth Dyson are low-ranked, but both will be in the running for speaker or deputy speaker respectively if Labour were to form the next government, Mr Little says.

Deputy leader Annette King retains the health portfolio, Grant Roberston, ranked number three, remains finance and employment spokesperson, while Chris Hipkins retains the education portfolio.

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(BusinessDesk)