Details are slowly emerging about the makeup of the next Cabinet.
From the Herald:
Winston Peters is set to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the new Labour-New Zealand First coalition government.
He is set to be named as Deputy Prime Minister on Tuesday as incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Peters sign their coalition deal.
The deal will set out the policy plans for the Labour-New Zealand First coalition government, his position as deputy and which specific ministerial portfolios New Zealand First has won for its four ministers inside cabinet.
The actual allocations won’t be announced until Wednesday but it is believed Peters has again got Foreign Affairs, the portfolio he held when New Zealand First supported the 2005 – 2008 Labour Government.
He is generally credited with having done a very good job, particularly in improving the relationship with the United States.
It is also understood that National would have been happy to give Peters Foreign Affairs as well – although specific portfolios were not negotiated before he announced last Thursday his party was backing Labour.
Ministerial numbers have already been agreed: Labour 16 in cabinet and five outside; New Zealand First, four inside cabinet and one under-secretary; and the Greens, three ministers outside cabinet and one undersecretary.
The distribution of positions is interesting. Compared to the proportion of the total progressive vote Labour has a slightly smaller proportion (71% as opposed to 73%), New Zealand First slightly more (16% compared to 14%) and the Greens’ proportion (13%) is right on.
Audrey Young also anticipates possible other appointments. Again from the Herald:
In a separate ceremony today, Ardern will sign a confidence and supply deal with Green Party leader James Shaw which will set out their policy agreements and portfolios which include Climate Change, to be held by Shaw, and Conservation, to be held by Eugenie Sage.
It is likely Grant Roberton will be finance minister in the new government, Fairfax reports.
It tipped David Parker to have the role of attorney general, Nanaia Mahuta Maori development, deputy leader Kelvin Davis corrections and other portfolios while Ardern’s role as PM will also include overseeing intelligence and security and involvement in children and arts.
NZ First deputy leader Ron Mark is expected to pick up the defence role in the new government, it said. Tracey Martin is tipped for a role in the education area while other portfolios for Peters’ party are expected to be in economic development and forestry.
And it is anticipated that the coalition agreements will be published today. Claire Trevett’s article complaining about the lack of transparency was premature.
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress