Hon Rodney Hide MP
Leader, ACT New Zealand
17 August 2010 News Release

New ACT Deputy Leader

The ACT Party Caucus today voted to promote John Boscawen to the position of Deputy Leader.

This is tribute to the work John has done for the party, including the opposition to the Government’s emissions trading scheme, his strong relationships within the party and the respect he has earned in Parliament.

I am also announcing today a reshuffle of the portfolios to be held by the ACT Party Ministers.

I have spoken with the Prime Minister, and at my request we have amended the National-ACT Confidence and Supply Agreement.

We have agreed to the following changes:

• John Boscawen will replace Heather Roy as Minister of Consumer Affairs.
• He will also take my Associate Commerce portfolio, and I will be taking the Associate Education portfolio.
• We have also agreed to drop our involvement in the Associate Defence portfolio to focus on core ACT issues, most notably Education.
•
The change of Deputy Leader and the reshuffle of portfolios were agreed this morning by the ACT Board, before I spoke to the Prime Minister.

At my request, the Prime Minister subsequently advised the Governor General to accept Heather Roy’s resignation from ministerial office.

As leader of the ACT Party I have an important job to do. We need our best team in place to contest the election next year, and we have a big job keeping the government focused on lifting income levels in New Zealand.

We are still not on the right track to closing the wage gap with Australia.

Having John Boscawen as Deputy Leader will further elevate ACT’s campaign against the ETS.

David Garrett will continue to hold the position of Party Whip.

Heather Roy has made a valuable contribution to the ACT Party over many years and I hope that will continue.

ENDS

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