John Key MP
National Party Leader

17 November 2008

National’s Ministry focused on growth, prosperity

The National-led Government’s Ministry will be focused on growth to deliver prosperity for all New Zealanders, says National Party Leader John Key.

Mr Key today announced the line-up of his new Ministry, which will be sworn in on Wednesday morning.

“The National-led Government takes office at a challenging time for the country. The growth outlook is weak, and international and domestic difficulties abound.

“This Government will concentrate on boosting economic growth because that is what will lead us out of these challenging times.

“Part of the right response is to tackle the infrastructure blockages. To that end, Bill English has been appointed Minister for Infrastructure, as well as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister.

“National’s No. 3, Gerry Brownlee, will be Minister for Economic Development and Minister of Energy and Resources, as well as Leader of the House.

“And National’s No. 4, Simon Power, has been given the State-Owned Enterprises, Commerce, and Associate Finance portfolios to go with Justice.

“As previously indicated, I have decided to take the Tourism portfolio, given its importance to the New Zealand economy.

“Steven Joyce will become Minister of Transport, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, and Associate Minister of Finance and Associate Minister for Infrastructure. Both he and Mr English will be responsible for driving our plan for the rollout of ultra-fast broadband.

“This cluster of Ministers and related portfolios demonstrate that getting the economy going will be front and centre of our priorities in office.

“I am also determined to drive improvements in the delivery of public health services and education standards.

“Tony Ryall will be Minister of Health as well as State Services, while Anne Tolley will be Minister of Education and Minister for Tertiary Education.

“National campaigned on improved efficiency and effectiveness of spending in the health portfolio, including boosting frontline resources.

“In education, National wants to set agreed national standards in literacy and numeracy as part of a crusade to improve literacy and numeracy standards.

“I am acutely aware that the economic challenges we face include forecasts which show rising unemployment. National wants to provide New Zealanders with some financial security in hard times. That is why we announced the transitional relief package during the election campaign to help those worst hit by redundancy, and why it will be implemented in government.

“The implementation of the package will be one of the tasks for the new Social Development and Employment Minister, Paula Bennett. She also picks up responsibility for Youth Affairs and Disability Issues. I have handed her a big responsibility, and have every confidence in her abilities.

“Christopher Finlayson will be the Minister Responsible for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Attorney-General. He will be responsible for keeping up the pace of Treaty settlements which we have seen in recent times.

“Georgina te Heuheu will be Minister for Courts, Pacific Island Affairs, Disarmament and Arms Control, and Associate Minister of Maori Affairs.

“When Parliament meets in early December, one of the first items of business will be to elect a Speaker. National will be nominating Dr Lockwood Smith for the position.

“Today’s announcement includes the full list of Ministers outside Cabinet, including the five MPs from the three support parties. I look forward to close co-operation between all Ministers in all relevant portfolios.

“New Zealanders should have confidence that the new government will be ready to embrace the challenges ahead.

“I am confident that the team I have announced today has the necessary skills, expertise, and determination to tackle the issues that matter to New Zealanders.

“Our government will be totally focused on that task over the next three years.”

ENDS

2008_Ministerial_List_for_Announcement.pdf

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