Goff announces changes to shadow Cabinet and portfolio allocations
Labour Leader Phil Goff has today unveiled changes to his shadow Cabinet following the departure of the Rt Hon Helen Clark and Hon Michael Cullen, and the return of Hon Damien O’Connor.
“Both Michael and Helen made huge contributions to the party and New Zealand but the time has come to move forward,” Phil Goff said.
“I have also taken this opportunity to reallocate a number of portfolios within caucus.
Phil Goff said Chris Carter will take over the role of Opposition spokesperson on Foreign Affairs.
“Chris’ track record as a strong Minister of Ethnic Affairs and his excellent knowledge interest and international contacts will stand him in good stead to take on that role,” Phil Goff said.
“Trevor Mallard will return to Labour’s front bench to take over as Labour’s education spokesperson. Trevor is an experienced and effective Opposition MP. He is ideal for the job and well respected in the sector given his previous role as Minister of Education and his intimate knowledge of Education.
Shane Jones will take on the Economic Development and Environment portfolios.
“Shane’s commercial experience, work on the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission and his qualifications will make him valuable for the Labour with his new roles,” Phil Goff said.
Nanaia Mahuta has relinquished her role as Environment spokesperson and has taken on Maori social development. At her own request for personal reasons, she has moved off the front bench.
Other changes are outlined in the attached document.
“Labour is proving to be an effective Opposition party and the regional visits being made by myself and other caucus members to reconnect with the electorate are being warmly welcomed,” Phil Goff said.
“National faces challenging times. All eyes will be on the Government’s upcoming Budget for the first signs of a comprehensive plan to get New Zealand out of the recession.
“Labour will keep the pressure on John Key and his Government to ensure that the concerns of hardworking Kiwis are being taken seriously.
“As I said last year after taking over the leadership, I will be revisiting portfolio allocations in a year’s time,” Phil Goff said.
Labour’s shadow Cabinet and wider portfolio allocations as at May 2009
New responsibilities in BOLD
- Phil Goff Leader
SIS - Annette King Deputy Leader
Social Development - David Cunliffe
Finance - Ruth Dyson
Health - Parekura Horomia
Maori Affairs
Fisheries - Clayton Cosgrove
Law & Order (including Police & Corrections)
SOEs
Assoc. Finance - Chris Carter
Foreign Affairs
Ethnic Affairs - Maryan Street
Trade
Tertiary Education
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations - Darren Hughes
Shadow Leader of the House
Chief Whip
Transport - David Parker
Shadow Attorney-General
Electoral Reform
ACC
Conservation
Assoc. Finance - Shane Jones
Economic Development
Environment - Trevor Mallard
Labour
Education
Rugby World Cup
America’s Cup - Nanaia Mahuta
Maori Social Development - Lianne Dalziel
Justice
Commerce - Charles Chauvel
Climate Change
Energy
Assoc. Commerce
Assoc. Justice - Pete Hodgson
Immigration
Defence - Winnie Laban
Pacific Island Affairs
Assoc. Health (Aged Care)
Assoc. Economic Development
Spokesperson Interfaith Dialogue - Moana Mackey
Housing
Research & Development
Science & Technology - Steve Chadwick
Junior Whip
Arts Culture and Heritage - Sue Moroney
Women’s Affairs
Education – ECE - Rick Barker
Courts
Veterans Affairs - Ross Robertson
Small Business
Senior Citizens
Racing
Assoc. Disarmament & Arms Control - George Hawkins
Local Government - Damien O’Connor
Rural Affairs
Biosecurity
Assoc Agriculture - Mita Ririnui
Forestry
Assoc. Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations - Lynne Pillay
Disability Issues
Assoc. Justice - Victims Rights - Ashraf Choudhary
Food Safety
Agricultural Science
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
Assoc. Research and Development - Darien Fenton
Transport Safety
Assoc. Labour - Su’a William Sio Customs
Assoc. Pacific Island Affairs
Assoc. Local Government
2008 intake in alphabetical order:
- Jacinda Ardern
Youth Affairs
Assoc. Justice – Youth Justice - Carol Beaumont
Consumer Affairs
Assoc. Labour - Brendon Burns
Broadcasting
Assoc. Environment – Water Quality - Clare Curran
Communications & IT - Kelvin Davis
Tourism
Assoc Education
Assoc. Maori Affairs - Chris Hipkins
Internal Affairs
Sport and Recreation
Assoc. Energy - Raymond Huo
Law Commission
Statistics
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs - Iain Lees-Galloway
Land Information
Assoc. Defence
Assoc. Health – Drugs & Alcohol - Stuart Nash
Revenue
Assoc. Trade, Assoc. Forestry - Rajen Prasad
Voluntary & Community Sector
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
Assoc. Social Development – Family & CYF - Grant Robertson
State Services
Assoc. Arts, Culture & Heritage
Assoc. Foreign Affairs - Carmel Sepuloni
Civil Defence
Assoc. Tertiary Education
Assoc. Social Development - Phil Twyford
Disarmament & Arms Control
Auckland Issues
Assoc. Foreign Affairs – Development Assistance
