Craig Foss to be Commerce Minister in new Cabinet line up
Ten portfolios or Ministerial responsibilities have either been disestablished or incorporated into other portfolios.
Prime Minister John Key has appointed Craig Foss to the commerce portfolio, replacing Simon Power who resigned from Parliament at the election.
Mr Foss, the MP for Tukituki, is a former banker, having worked as chief dealer in long term interest rates for BNZ and with Credit Suisse First Boston as director of interest rate risk. He entered parliament in 2005 and was chairman of the finance and expenditure select committee. Mr Foss became a minister outside of cabinet in June when he picked up civil defence, racing and senior citizens and associate portfolios in commerce and local government.
“National’s line-up is a very strong one, with a mixture of fresh talent and experience,” says Mr Key. “There has been a revamp of some portfolios, and some first-term Ministers have been rewarded for their performance.
Steven Joyce is elevated to the front bench with a mix of economically-focused portfolios - a new portfolio called Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, as well as Economic Development, Science and Innovation, and Associate Finance.
Hekia Parata and Paula Bennett are also promoted to the front bench. Hekia Parata gains the Education portfolio. Paula Bennett retains the Social Development and Youth Affairs portfolios.
“Hekia Parata will build on the good work of Anne Tolley in the Education portfolio, particularly around the implementation of National Standards, one of National’s key policies to boost student achievement. Anne Tolley becomes Minister of Corrections and Police, and Deputy Leader of the House," Mr Key says.
“Judith Collins is elevated and gains the Justice Portfolio vacated by Simon Power, along with ACC and Ethnic Affairs,” he says.
Other changes include:
Gerry Brownlee will resume the role of Leader of the House, and is given the Transport portfolio. He retains the all-important role of Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery.
David Carter receives the Primary Industries portfolio, which combines the Agriculture, Biosecurity, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Forestry portfolios.
Jonathan Coleman picks up Defence, State Services and Associate Finance, while Phil Heatley picks up Energy and Resources while retaining Housing.
The Infrastructure portfolio is incorporated into Bill English’s Finance portfolio, and the Disarmament and Arms Control portfolio is incorporated into Murray McCully’s Foreign Affairs portfolio.
New Minister inside Cabinet Amy Adams is given the Associate role for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, and also becomes Minister for Communications and Information Technology, and Internal Affairs.
Other new Ministers inside Cabinet are Nathan Guy and Craig Foss, who were both Ministers outside Cabinet in the previous term. Mr Guy picks up Immigration and Mr Foss Broadcasting and Commerce.
There are three new National Ministers outside Cabinet – Chris Tremain, Jo Goodhew and Chester Borrows, all of whom pick up a mixture of portfolios. Maurice Williamson is the fourth National Minister outside Cabinet.
The Ministerial line-up also includes a number of changes to reduce the number of portfolios and separate Ministerial responsibilities. Ten portfolios or Ministerial responsibilities have either been disestablished or incorporated into other portfolios.
The new Ministry will be sworn in at Government House in Wellington on Wednesday morning.
NBR staff
Mon, 12 Dec 2011
Mon, 12 Dec 2011
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