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

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