5 May 2009 Media Statement
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
1. Phil Goff Leader
SIS
2. Annette King Deputy Leader
Social Development
3. David Cunliffe Finance
4. Ruth Dyson Health
5. Parekura Horomia Maori Affairs
Fisheries
6. Clayton Cosgrove Law & Order (including Police & Corrections)
SOEs
Assoc. Finance
7. Chris Carter Foreign Affairs
Ethnic Affairs
8. Maryan Street Trade
Tertiary Education
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
9. Darren Hughes Shadow Leader of the House
Chief Whip
Transport
10. David Parker Shadow Attorney-General
Electoral Reform
ACC
Conservation
Assoc. Finance
11. Shane Jones Economic Development
Environment
12. Trevor Mallard Labour
Education
Rugby World Cup
America’s Cup
13. Nanaia Mahuta Maori Social Development
14. Lianne Dalziel Justice
Commerce
15. Charles Chauvel Climate Change
Energy
Assoc. Commerce
Assoc. Justice
16. Pete Hodgson Immigration
Defence
17. Winnie Laban Pacific Island Affairs
Assoc. Health (Aged Care)
Assoc. Economic Development
Spokesperson Interfaith Dialogue
18. Moana Mackey Housing
Research & Development
Science & Technology
19. Steve Chadwick Junior Whip
Arts Culture and Heritage
20. Sue Moroney Women’s Affairs
Education – ECE
21. Rick Barker Courts
Veterans Affairs
22. Ross Robertson Small Business
Senior Citizens
Racing
Assoc. Disarmament & Arms Control
23. George Hawkins Local Government
24. Damien O’Connor Rural Affairs
Biosecurity
Assoc Agriculture
25. Mita Ririnui Forestry,
Assoc. Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
26. Lynne Pillay Disability Issues
Assoc. Justice - Victims Rights
27. Ashraf Choudhary Food Safety
Agricultural Science
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
Assoc. Research and Development
28. Darien Fenton Transport Safety
Assoc. Labour
29. Su’a William Sio Customs
Assoc. Pacific Island Affairs
Assoc. Local Government
2008 intake in alphabetical order:
30. Jacinda Ardern Youth Affairs
Assoc. Justice – Youth Justice
31. Carol Beaumont Consumer Affairs
Assoc. Labour
32. Brendon Burns Broadcasting
Assoc. Environment – Water Quality
33. Clare Curran Communications & IT
34. Kelvin Davis Tourism
Assoc Education
Assoc Maori Affairs
35. Chris Hipkins Internal Affairs
Sport and Recreation
Assoc. Energy
36. Raymond Huo Law Commission
Statistics
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
37. Iain Lees-Galloway Land Information
Assoc. Defence
Assoc. Health – Drugs & Alcohol
38. Stuart Nash Revenue
Assoc. Trade, Assoc. Forestry
39. Rajen Prasad Voluntary & Community Sector
Assoc. Ethnic Affairs
Assoc. Social Development – Family & CYF
40. Grant Robertson State Services
Assoc. Arts, Culture & Heritage
Assoc. Foreign Affairs
41. Carmel Sepuloni Civil Defence
Assoc. Tertiary Education
Assoc. Social Development
42. Phil Twyford Disarmament & Arms Control
Auckland Issues
Assoc. Foreign Affairs – Development Assistance
Progressive Leader Jim Anderton - Agriculture
ENDS