Key reshuffles cabinet pack
Prime minister confirms changes tipped on NBR Online this morning.
Prime Minister John Key has announced a cabinet reshuffle, confirming changes tipped on NBR Online this morning.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is the sole promotion in today's cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Bridges is to be a minister outside cabinet, taking over the consumer affairs and associate transport ministerial jobs from Napier MP Chris Tremain, and becoming an associate minister for climate change.
Mr Tremain moves into the cabinet, taking the Minister for Internal Affairs role from Selwyn MP Amy Adams.
Mrs Adams takes over as Minister for the Environment from departing minister Nick Smith, adding this to her communications and information technology roles.
Primary Industry Minister David Carter has the largest addition to his in-tray, getting Dr Smith's local government porfolio at a time major reforms for the sector are planned.
Announcing the changes, Prime Minister John Key said the local government reforms "remain important part of the Government’s agenda. Mr Carter is an experienced minister and I’m confident he will drive these reforms along".
There has been speculation Mr Carter will become Speaker later this year, as the current Speaker, Lockwood Smith, is widely tipped to take on an overseas ambassadorial appointment.
The other change in today's reshuffle was Trade Minister Tim Groser taking Dr Smith's remaining portfolio, climate change.
Mr Groser previously held an associate climate change portfolio at the time of the Copenhagen summit.
Rob Hosking
Mon, 02 Apr 2012
Mon, 02 Apr 2012
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Key reshuffles cabinet pack
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