Finance role for Bennett — Key
First coalition deals signed | Key talks up possible finance role for Bennett ahead of cabinet reshuffle.
Prime Minister John Key is not expected to detail National's post-election reshuffle until later his week.
He has already previewed one change, however, telling RNZ that Paula Bennett will move from social development to a finance role.
"We have a lot of faith in Paula, we think she's has a pretty bright future with the party, and she's keen to, I think, widen out her cabinet experience and demonstrate she's got skills in other areas," the PM-elect said.
But he also cautioned that the promotion might not happen straight away.
Ms Bennett is increasingly seen as a future leader by party insiders.
The reshuffle will include new faces in Health and Justice following the resignation of Judith Collins from cabinet and Tony Ryall from Parliament (see NBR politics editor Rob Hosking's cabinet contender picks here).
Mr Key earlier indicated an associate education minister post was possiblie for ACT MP David Seymour. ACT is pushing for the post to further charter schools, its one clear policy win from the last term.
He also said appointing Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell as Minister of Maori Affairs would be "pretty much a no brainer".
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The PM-elect also criticised David Cunliffe's decision to contest Labour's leadership primary, and the primary process itself (which gives a 40% weight of the vote to MPs, 40% to party members and 20% to affiliated unions.
"If you can't carry your caucus, it's hard to be an effective leader," Mr Key said.
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Finance role for Bennett — Key
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