26 October 2005
Brash unveils new-look lineup
National Party Leader Don Brash today announced a reshuffled lineup of spokespeople that is designed "to take the attack
to a tired, discredited, Government".
"The new lineup signals the emphasis I am placing on sharp, experienced attack politicians and top performers. National
is in an excellent position to expose the many weaknesses of a weak, cobbled-together Clark/Peters Government," says Dr
Brash.
Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee retains oversight of Maori Affairs and Treaty issues, remains Shadow Leader of the House,
and adds State Services to his list of responsibilities.
The promotion of National's Finance spokesman, John Key, is one of the features of the new lineup. Mr Key is elevated to
No 4 ranking, from No 7. He is one position behind former leader Bill English, who has been elevated one place to No 3.
Dr Brash says Mr Key has been rewarded for a sound election campaign that saw him outclass Finance Minister Michael
Cullen in selling National's message and exposing the Labour Government's faults.
"Bill English's elevation to No 3 underlines the critical role he will continue to play as part of the wider leadership
team. He exposed Labour's complete mismanagement of the Education portfolio during the last Parliament. He will also
continue to have a role in the Finance portfolio.
"Fifth-ranked Nick Smith takes an important new role in overseeing Energy.
Labour has dropped the ball, with serious questions arising about future electricity generating capacity. With a PhD in
engineering, Dr Smith is the most qualified MP in Parliament to take oversight of this area.
"I have signalled the importance of the Health portfolio by moving it to the front bench and placing it in the hands of
Tony Ryall, one of our top performers. This was no reflection on Dr Hutchison, but sometimes a person who would make an
outstanding Cabinet Minister in government is not the best suited to an attack role in Opposition.
"East Coast Bays MP Murray McCully will take over the Foreign Affairs and Defence portfolios, supported by new associate
spokesmen Tim Groser and John Hayes, former senior MFAT officials before entering Parliament at the election.
"Georgina Te Heuheu will support Mr McCully in Defence. Mr McCully is a seasoned and experienced politician who will set
about exposing the extraordinary decision of Labour to make Mr Peters a Minister outside Cabinet, with a dispensation to
flout the doctrine of Cabinet responsibility in areas outside his immediate portfolios.
"Defence had been plagued by a succession of costly procurement scandals that Mr McCully had taken a role in revealing,
and it is logical for him to take oversight in this area in order to set the scene for a rebuilding of Defence.
"Of the Parliamentary newcomers, Mr Groser, till recently New Zealand's representative at the World Trade Organisation,
is one of the winners, taking the primary responsibility for Arts and Culture, as well as working with Mr McCully in the
Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. Another is Wellington lawyer Chris Finlayson, who becomes Shadow Attorney-General
and assumes an associate spokesman role for Maori Affairs, Treaty issues, and Arts and Culture."
Tau Henare, as Associate spokesman for Maori Affairs, is another of the new MPs to receive a ranking. Dr Brash said this
reflects his experience as a former Cabinet Minister.
Dr Brash says he has given every new MP an associate spokesperson role to ensure their involvement. He has signalled to
the caucus that he intends reviewing performances in a year.
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NATIONAL PARTY PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES OCTOBER 2005
1.
Don Brash
Leader
SIS
Relationships with Non-Government
Parties
2.
Gerry Brownlee
Deputy Leader
Shadow Leader of the House
State Services
Treaty of Waitangi Issues and Maori
Affairs
3.
Bill English
Education
Deputy Finance
4.
John Key
Finance
5.
Nick Smith
Environment/RMA
Energy
Building & Construction
Caucus representative on the National Party
Board
6.
Tony Ryall
Health
7.
Simon Power
Law & Order (police and corrections)
8.
Judith Collins
Welfare
Veterans’ Affairs
Family Affairs
Liaison with Pacific Island New
Zealanders
9.
Katherine Rich
Economic Development (incorporating
Small Business, Regional
Development, Ministry of Economic
Development, NZTE)
SOEs
Liaison with Youth
10.
David Carter
Agriculture
Tourism
11.
Murray McCully
Foreign Affairs & Trade
Defence
Conservation
Sport & Recreation
12.
Lockwood Smith
Immigration
Revenue
Associate Finance
Liaison with Ex-pats
13.
Maurice Williamson
Transport
Communications & Information
Technology
14.
Wayne Mapp
Labour & Industrial Relations
Political Correctness Eradication
Chair of Caucus Policy Committee
15.
Richard Worth
Justice
Associate Local Government
(Auckland)
16.
Lindsay Tisch
Chief Whip
Racing
17.
Tim Groser
Arts, Culture & Heritage
Associate Foreign Affairs & Trade
18.
Chris Finlayson
Attorney-General
Associate Treaty of Waitangi Issues
and Maori Affairs (Treaty Negotiations)
Associate Arts, Culture & Heritage
19.
John Carter
Local Government
Civil Defence
20.
Pansy Wong
Associate Education (International
Education)
Associate Immigration
Associate Revenue
Liaison with Asian New Zealanders
21.
Georgina Te
Heuheu
Broadcasting
Associate Defence
Associate Treaty of Waitangi Issues and
Maori Affairs (Maori Development)
22.
Paul Hutchison
ACC
Disability Issues
Research, Science & Technology/CRIs
Policy on Children
23.
Shane Ardern
Fisheries
Customs
Biosecurity
Liaison with Rural Communities
24.
Phil Heatley
Housing
Associate Energy
Associate Fisheries
25.
Tau Henare
Associate Treaty of Waitangi Issues and
Maori Affairs (Treaty Negotiations)
Associate Education (Early Childhood)
26.
Sandra Goudie
Senior Citizens
Internal Affairs
Associate Local Government
27.
Brian Connell
Forestry
Commerce
Consumer Affairs
Statistics
Clem Simich
Speaker/Deputy Speaker nominee
Eric Roy
Associate Conservation
Associate Sport & Recreation
Anne Tolley
Junior Whip
Associate Welfare (CYFS)
Chris Auchinvole
Associate Energy (Mining)
Associate Tourism
David Bennett
Associate Transport
Paula Bennett
Associate Welfare
Associate Labour & Industrial Relations
Jackie Blue
Associate Health
Liaison with Women’s Groups
Mark Blumsky
Associate Local Government
(Wellington)
Associate Economic Development
Chester Borrows
Associate Welfare
Associate Law & Order
Bob Clarkson
Associate Building & Construction
Associate Housing
Jonathan Coleman
Associate Health
Jacqui Dean
Associate Environment/RMA
Craig Foss
Associate Finance
Associate Agriculture (Horticulture)
Jo Goodhew
Associate Health
Nathan Guy
Associate Agriculture
Liaison with Senior Citizens
John Hayes
Associate Foreign Affairs & Trade
(Pacific Affairs and ODA)
Colin King
Associate Education (Trade Training)
Allan Peachey
Associate Education
Chris Tremain
Associate Economic Development
Liaison with Small Business
Nicky Wagner
Youth Affairs
Associate Environment/RMA
Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage
Kate Wilkinson
Associate Justice
ENDS