Labour Leader Phil Goff has reshuffled his caucus, promoting a few backbenchers to the front-line battle.
He announced his Party line-up at a media conference in Auckland on February 3, a day after Prime Minister John Key announced that General Election will be held on November 26, 2011.
Caucus 2011 also features the Shadow Cabinet, which is indicative of the shape of things to come, reflecting the mood of the Party to have credible and loyal MPs to go into the Election mode.
Deputy Leader Annette King has been accorded ‘Social Policy,’ a broad portfolio, probably to let her afford more time to issues of politics than economics. David Cunliffe, as a Heir Apparent (we have always said that) to the Party’s leadership has retained Finance, a job that he has done well over the past two years.
Party heavyweights George Hawkins, Pete Hodgson and Lynne Pillay are outside the mainframe since they have opted to retire from politics.
The return of Shane Jones to Number 13 on the list was a surprise. Mr Goff probably believes that the young Northland MP has served his period of wilderness and retribution for his past transgressions. His new responsibilities include Transport, Infrastructure, Associate Maori Affairs (Economic Development) and Fisheries.
Charles Chauvel is another beneficiary of the shuffle. Although he has moved up just a step, he has acquired the Justice portfolio, in addition to environment.
The elevation of David Parker to the Fourth position, with additional responsibility for Energy and Finance (the latter as Associate Spokesman) would perhaps mean a place of prominence for the Waitaki MP if Labour forms a Government after the Election. He is also certain to be the Attorney General.
Dr Rajen Prasad has been entrusted with Ethnic Affairs, in addition to his erstwhile role as Associate Spokesperson for Social Development, while Dr Ashraf Choudhary has Food Safety, Associate Ethnic Affairs, Associate Research, Science & Technology.
Mr Goff must consider promoting both MPs to a more prominent position in the Caucus. It is unfair for Dr Prasad and Dr Choudhary to remain as backbenchers – they form the intellectual capital of the Party.
Following is the full list of Labour Party Caucus for 2011 in the order of their ranking as on February 3, 2011:
Phil Goff (SIS); Annette King (Social Policy); David Cunliffe (Finance); David Parker (Economic Development, Energy, Associate Finance, Shadow Attorney General); Ruth Dyson (Conservation, State Services, Immigration); Clayton Cosgrove (Law & Order including Police & Corrections, SOEs, Associate Finance, Earthquake Recovery); Maryan Street (Foreign Affairs & Trade, Overseas Development Assistance); Darren Hughes (Education, Chief Whip); Trevor Mallard (Shadow Leader of the House, Associate Finance, Rugby World Cup, America’s Cup, Sport and Recreation); Parekura Horomia (Maori Affairs, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations); Charles Chauvel (Justice, Environment); Grant Robertson (Health, Associate Arts, Culture & Heritage); Shane Jones (Transport Infrastructure, Associate Maori Affairs- Economic Development, Fisheries); Sue Moroney (Associate Education, Early Childhood Education, Associate Health- Aged Care), Lianne Dalziel (Commerce, Small Business, Regulatory Reform, Electoral Reform); Su’a William Sio (Pacific Island Affairs, Inter-Faith Dialogue, Customs); Phil Twyford (Local Government, Building and Construction, Auckland Issues); Moana Mackey (Housing, Associate Research, Science & Technology); Jacinda Ardern (Employment, Youth Affairs, Associate Arts, Culture & Heritage); Nanaia Mahuta (Maori Social Development, Community and Voluntary Sector); Rick Barker (unranked, possible nomination for Speaker; Assistant Speaker, Veterans Affairs, Courts); Damien O’Connor (Agriculture, Rural Affairs, Biosecurity); Steve Chadwick (Junior Whip, Arts, Culture & Heritage); Darien Fenton (Labour, Transport Safety); David Shearer (Defence, Research, Science & Technology); Stuart Nash (Revenue, Forestry, Associate Trade); Chris Hipkins (ACC, Internal Affairs); Kelvin Davis (Tourism, Associate Education-Special Education, Associate Maori Affairs-Education); Brendon Burns (Climate Change, Water, Associate Environment); Ross Robertson (Senior Citizens, Disarmament and Arms Control, Racing); Carol Beaumont (Women’s Affairs, Consumer Affairs, Associate Education-Skills); Clare Curran (Communications, Broadcasting); Dr Ashraf Choudhary (Food Safety, Associate Ethnic Affairs, Associate Research, Science & Technology); Raymond Huo (Chinese Community Affairs, Statistics, Law Commission); Iain Lees-Galloway (Land Information, Associate Health, Associate Defence, Associate Transport); Dr Rajen Prasad (Ethnic Affairs, Associate Social Development); Mita Ririnui (Associate Treaty Issues, Associate Health- Maori); Carmel Sepuloni (Disability Issues, Victims’ Rights, Associate Social Development); Kris Faafoi (Civil Defence, Associate Pacific Island Affairs); Pete Hodgson, George Hawkins, Lynne Pillay.
