19 October 2005 Media Statement

Ministerial portfolios allocated

Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced a major reallocation of ministerial portfolio responsibilities.

Helen Clark said that the government was renewing and refreshing itself for the third term in government.

"Experienced ministers need new challenges and we have a significant number of new ministers to fill the slots of those retiring," said Helen Clark.

Key changes in allocation follow: -

- Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen continues as Minister of Finance and Leader of the House, as well as becoming Minister for Tertiary Education.

- Third ranked minister Jim Anderton takes on the major primary industry portfolios of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, together with biosecurity. I am keen to see a more strategic focus by government on how we work alongside these major industries which are critical to New Zealand's economy and export profile.

- Steve Maharey will become Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office, while retaining the science portfolios and broadcasting.

- Phil Goff's huge experience and credibility in international relations will be invaluable in his new portfolios of Defence, and Disarmament and Arms Control. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a substantial trade component which Phil Goff will take responsibility for as Minister of Trade, and as Minister for Trade Negotiations when Jim Sutton retires from the portfolio at the end of the year. He also continues as Minister of Pacific Island Affairs.

- Annette King becomes Minister of State Services, including the co-ordinating responsibility for race relations, and Minister of Police. She continues as Minister for Food Safety, and she will act as an associate to Phil Goff in his Defence and Trade roles.

- Trevor Mallard becomes Minister for Economic Development, Industry and Regional Development, and State Owned Enterprises, while continuing as Minister for Sport and Recreation and Associate Minister of Finance.

- Pete Hodgson becomes Minister of Health and retains Land Information.

- Parekura Horomia continues as Minister of Maori Affairs with a range of associate portfolios.

- Mark Burton becomes Minister of Justice, Minister Responsible for the Law Commission and Minister of Local Government, and continues as Minister in Charge of Treaty Negotiations and Deputy Leader of the House.

- Ruth Dyson becomes Minister of Labour, and continues as Minister for ACC, Senior Citizens, Disability Issues, and as Associate Minister for Social Development (Child Youth and Family Service.)

- Chris Carter becomes Minister of Housing and continues as Minister of Conservation and Ethnic Affairs.

- Rick Barker becomes Minister of Internal Affairs, Civil Defence, Veterans Affairs, and continues as Minister for Courts.

- David Benson-Pope becomes Minister for Social Development and Employment, and Minister for the Environment.

- Lianne Dalziel becomes Minister of Commerce, Minister for Small Business, and Minister of Women's Affairs.

- Damien O'Connor becomes Minister of Corrections, Minister of Tourism, and continues as Minister for Rural Affairs and Associate Minister of Health.

- David Cunliffe becomes Minister of Immigration, continues as Minister of Communications and of Information Technology, and will be an Associate Minister for Economic Development.

- David Parker will be Minister of Energy, Minister of Transport, Attorney General, and Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues.

- Nanaia Mahuta will be Minister of Customs, Minister of Youth Affairs, and Associate Minister for the Environment and Local Government.

- Clayton Cosgrove will be Minister for Building Issues and Statistics, and Associate Minister of Finance, Immigration, and Justice.

- Jim Sutton will continue as Minister for Trade Negotiations until the end of the year.

- Judith Tizard continues her existing responsibilities as Minister of Consumer Affairs and as an associate across a range of portfolios, as well as becoming Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand and for the National Library.

- Dover Samuels will continue his existing associate ministerial responsibilities.

- Harry Duynhoven continues as Minister for Transport Safety and Associate Minister of Energy.

- Mita Ririnui's responsibilities are unchanged.

- Winnie Laban becomes Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector with associate ministerial responsibilities in Pacific Island Affairs, Social Development and Employment, and Economic Development.

- Mahara Okeroa becomes an Associate Minister for Social Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Conservation.

Ministers outside Cabinet from other parties with confidence and supply agreements are as already announced.

- Rt Hon Winston Peters: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Racing, and Associate Minister for Senior Citizens.

- Hon Peter Dunne: Minister of Revenue, Associate Minister of Health.

Helen Clark said the Commission Opening of Parliament will be on Monday 7 November, when MPs will be sworn in.

The State Opening and Speech from the Throne will be on Tuesday 8 November.

The House will have tributes to the late David Lange on Wednesday 9 November, and will begin the Address in Reply Debate on Thursday 10 November.

Ministerial List for announcement

19 October 2005

ENDS

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