Not much gets past Private Bin. We have eyes everywhere.

However, the appointment of Justice Minister Simon Power to the bench slipped by with no one knowing. Private Bin thinks even attorney-general Chris Finlayson is in the dark.

A press released from the hallowed halls of Parliament winged its way to the NBR towers last night commenting on the release of the Law Commission’s issues paper on the review of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Private Bin wonders if it was just a little late in the day, or if Simon Power really has a new job… and if so, is he replacing someone?

The press release has Justice Simon Power welcoming the release of the issues paper.

Given that the Judicial Conduct Commissioner is probing Supreme Court judge Justice Bill Wilson for his failure to recuse himself from a Court of Appeal case back in 2007, is this a pre-emptive move?

Given that Justice Wilson was appointed directly to the Court of Appeal with no previous judicial experience, perhaps Mr Power reckons he’s qualified enough.

Or he could just be a mistake, but Private Bin reckons that’s not much fun.

The big question is, is going from Justice Minister to judge really a promotion?

Who has the better pension plan?