Labour leader David Shearer unveiled his new shadow-Cabinet lineup at a press conference. Source: 3News
Shane Jones has a place reserved for him on the front bench provided he is exonerated in the Auditor General’s investigation over his granting a Chinese millionaire citizenship while associate immigration minister.
If cleared, Jones will take on Regional Development and Forestry portfolios as well as Associate Finance responsibilities.
MPs Annette King, Phil Twyford and David Clark have shot up the party’s rankings, while Trevor Mallard and Lianne Dalziel have been bumped out of the top 20.
Shearer said the shuffle is a mix of “fresh talent and experienced hands” and those being demoted “understand the importance of renewal for political parties”.
Unranked Clark flies up the ranks to number 12 with the Economic Development and Small Business portfolios, taking on the Government’s ‘everything minister’ Steven Joyce.
Former deputy leader and Health Minister Annette King has returned to the front bench in sixth place with the responsibility for health.
King’s housing responsibilities have been allocated to Twyford, who jumps three places to number eight.
The party’s chief whip Chris Hipkins has ousted Nanaia Mahuta from her education role but Mahuta stays in the top 20.
Deputy leader Grant Robertson will lead a team of MPs setting out Labour’s job creation plan with a Jobs and Employment portfolio.
David Parker keeps his number three spot, holding on to finance and adding shadow-Attorney General responsibilities.
“There is no one else in this Parliament who has the depth of understanding of the challenges we are facing,” said Shearer. “[He] will make a superb Finance Minister.”
Clark takes on the Economic Development portfolio, while former Housing spokesperson Annette King picks up the Health portfolio.
Jacinda Ardern keeps her Children and Social Development portfolios and stays at number four.
Maryan Street, despite being stripped of the Health portfolio, stays in the shadow-Cabinet, picking up the Environment portfolio.
Andrew Little – Labour’s former party president – and Megan Woods have each picked up portfolios and entered the top 20.
Little takes on Justice and will go head-to-head with Prime Minister John Key with his Tourism portfolio.
Woods picks up Tertiary Education, while continuing to support Shearer on Science and Innovation.
Sue Moroney picks up the ACC portfolio, Ian Lees-Galloway takes Transport and Chris Fa’afoi has been allocated Corrections.
David Cunliffe is back in the ranks – although out of the top 20 – following an unsuccessful attempt at challenging the party’s leadership, picking up the Revenue and Fisheries portfolios, along with Associate Finance.
