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Monday, January 20, 2014
PM names possible partners, reshuffles cabinet
PM names possible partners, reshuffles cabinet
Tuesday 21 Jan 2014 4:11p.m.
Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/PM-names-possible-partners-reshuffles-cabinet/tabid/1607/articleID/329230/Default.aspx#ixzz2r0dkHaLi
Prime Minister John Key has
laid out a Cabinet re-shuffle and outlined which political parties he
is willing to work with on his first day back on the job.
Mr Key says given the "right electoral
circumstances" he would prefer to work with ACT, the Maori Party and
United Future. He has also embraced the idea there could be a scenario
where the Conservative Party could be added to this group.
"We have policy differences with the Conservative
Party; however, it is likely that there would be enough common ground to
work with them in the Government," Mr Key says.
The "tight contest" for this year's election will
mean National will have to work with other parties to form a stable
government, Mr Key says.
"First and foremost, National will be campaigning
hard for every party vote it can win, because that puts us in the best
position to continue the positive policy direction New Zealand is on.
The relationships National would have with other
parties will be in the form of confidence and supply, "as these have
worked well in the past two parliamentary terms", he says.
He ruled out working with Labour, the Green Party and Mana.
"These parties represent a far left-wing agenda that we do not believe is good for New Zealand."
Mr Key would not rule out the possibility of working
with New Zealand First ahead of the election, but says it would be
"very unlikely".
He says there will be factions of voters who would
rather see National work with New Zealand First than a Labour/ Greens
government.
"I don't think it's the most likely pairing, but
it's possible. It's also possible a range of other alternatives could be
formed where we could run a minority government and ultimately Mr
Peters abstains."
Earlier today, Mr Peters said he would not be entering into any pre-election deals.
Labour leader David Cunliffe has called Mr Key's announcement "the dance of the desperate".
"Six years ago, [Mr Key] he said not working with
[Mr Peters] was a matter of principle, not policy. Clearly his
principles have a half-life – less than six years. Perhaps they're a
McDonald's special for a limited time."
Mr Cunliffe "absolutely ruled out" working with ACT
and the Conservative Party and says it is "extremely unlikely" he would
work with United Future leader Peter Dunne.
"Although I wouldn't refuse to answer a phone call and my door is open to others."
Mr Cunliffe says he would work with New Zealand First.
Cabinet reshuffle
Mr
Dunne has come out of the political wilderness and will become the
Minister of Internal Affairs, Associate Minister of Health and Associate
Minister of Conservation and will be a minister outside Cabinet.
He
will take over from Chris Tremain, who resigned as Internal Affairs and
Local Government Minister after announcing he will retire from
Parliament at this year's election.
Mr Dunne
resigned from his role as Associate Health Minister and Revenue Minister
in June last year as part of the fallout from the leak of a top-secret
GCSB report.
Mr Key says the Government has
worked well with Mr Dunne in the past "and United Future continues to be
a valued partner in government".
"While 2013 brought its challenges, both Peter and I start this election year looking forward, not back," Mr Key says.
Mr
Dunne says he is looking forward to "picking up the threads" of his
previous health and conservation portfolios and returning as Internal
Affairs Minister – a role he held 18 years ago.
"Internal
Affairs covers a range of diverse responsibilities, including working
with the Government Chief Information Officer in the modernisation and
upgrading of the Government's IT services, and in particular ensuring
proper protection for privacy and security of personal information."
Among other changes, Michael Woodhouse will be promoted to the vacancy in Cabinet and will retain all of his current portfolios.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett will also become Local Government Minister.
Maungakiekie
MP Peseta Sam Lotu-liga has been appointed a new minister outside
Cabinet and receives the portfolio of Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
and Associate Minister of Local Government.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay will also become Associate Tourism Minister.
The changes take effect from January 28 where new ministers will be sworn in by the Governor General.
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