Barton Deakin Brief: NZ National Party Ministerial Reshuffle
12.03.2018
Contents
Key Changes ...... 1 Further Information ...... 1 Updated National Party Spokesperson Allocations ...... 2
Yesterday, National leader Hon Simon Bridges revealed the party’s new caucus line-up, as part of a major reshuffle that arose as a result of Rt Hon Bill English’s recent resignation.
This Barton Deakin Brief will summarise the changes to the Opposition’s portfolio structure and includes an updated Spokesperson List.
Key Changes
Deputy leader Hon Paula Bennett remains in her position, while Hon Amy Adams has risen to third position, responsible for Finance following Hon Steven Joyce’s resignation last week. Hon Judith Collins is ranked fourth with the Housing portfolio, signalling the Opposition’s intention to attack the Government in this area. Other significant promotions include Jami-Lee Ross (responsible for Infrastructure and Sport), and Sarah Dowie (responsible for Conservation), both moving up 19 places.
Hon Todd McClay retains the Trade portfolio and has picked up Foreign Affairs, previously held by Hon Gerry Brownlee.
Previous leadership contenders Hon Amy Adams, Hon Judith Collins and Hon Mark Mitchell are all positioned on the Front Bench.
Combined, the ten top-ranked MPs have 50 years of ministerial experience, with all except Jami-Lee Ross having served as Ministers under the John Key and Bill English-led Government.
Further Information
For more information, please contact Jenna Raeburn on +61 212 499 769 or Julia Prieston on +61 419 008 625.
To stay up to date with the affairs of Coalition Governments and Oppositions around Australia, you can follow Barton Deakin on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Updated National Party Spokesperson Allocations
11 March 2018
SPOKESPERSON FOR MINISTER National Security and Intelligence Hon Simon Bridges (Leader)
Social Investment and Social Services Hon Paula Bennett (Deputy Leader)
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
Women
Finance Hon Amy Adams
Housing and Urban Development Hon Judith Collins
Planning (RMA Reform)
Foreign Affairs and Trade Hon Todd McClay Tourism
Health Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Sport and Recreation
Justice Hon Mark Mitchell
Defence
Disarmament
Infrastructure Jami-Lee Ross
Transport
Economic and Regional Development Hon Paul Goldsmith
Revenue
Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage
Education Hon Nikki Kaye
Shadow Leader of the House Hon Gerry Brownlee GCSB NZSIS America’s Cup
Agriculture Hon Nathan Guy
Biosecurity
Food Safety
Immigration Hon Michael Woodhouse
2
SPOKESPERSON FOR MINISTER Workplace Relations and Safety
Deputy Shadow Leader of the House
Social Development Hon Louise Upston
Children Hon Alfred Ngaro
Community and Voluntary Sector
Pacific Peoples
Shadow Attorney-General Hon Christopher Finlayson QC
Crown-Maori Relations
Pike River Re-entry
Environment Hon Scott Simpson
Local Government Hon Jacqui Dean
Small Business
Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Melissa Lee
Ethnic Communities
Conservation Sarah Dowie
Deputy Speaker Hon Anne Tolley
State Owned Enterprises Rt Hon David Carter
Corrections Hon David Bennett
Land information
Associate Infrastructure
Energy and Resources Jonathan Young
Regional Development (North Island)
Seniors Hon Maggie Barry ONZM
Veterans
Associate Health
State Services (including Open Government) Hon Dr Nick Smith
Electoral Law Reform
Nominee for Senior Whip Barbara Kuriger
Mental Health Matt Doocey
Nominee for Junior Whip
Customs Simon O’Connor
3
SPOKESPERSON FOR MINISTER Associate Housing (Social)
Associate Social Development
Internal Affairs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
Associate Justice
ACC Hon Tim Macindoe
Associate Foreign Affairs and Trade
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Brett Hudson
Government Digital Services
Associate Transport
Earthquake Commission Stuart Smith
Civil Defence
Viticulture
Climate Change Todd Muller
Statistics Dr Jian Yang
Associate Ethnic Communities
Research, Science and Innovation Dr Parmjeet Parmar
Associate Economic Development
Maori Development Nuk Korako
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Police Chris Bishop
Youth
Fisheries Ian McKelvie
Racing
Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon Nicky Wagner
Greater Christchurch Regeneration
Building and Construction Andrew Bayly
Associate Finance
Data and Cybersecurity Dr Shane Reti
Disability Issues
Associate Health
Forestry Alastair Scott
4
SPOKESPERSON FOR MINISTER Associate Finance
Whanau Ora Jo Hayes
Maori Education
Associate Education Simeon Brown
Regional Development (South Island) Andrew Falloon
Maori Tourism Harete Hipango
Rural Communities Matt King
Local Government (Auckland) Denise Lee
Courts Chris Penk
Associate Environment Erica Stanford
Nominee for Third Whip Tim Van de Molen
Associate Agriculture Hamish Walker
Horticulture Lawrence Yule
Associate Children Maureen Pugh
Early Childhood Education Nicola Willis
5