Portfolios Announced

According to Scoop, the press conference announcing portfolios has begun.

So far we have:

Steve Maharey new Minister Of Education

Oh my God. The man who did more to destroy tertiary education quality than any other Minister now gets the rest of the education sector to play with.

Michael Cullen new Minster of Tertiary Education

Much more sensible. Cullen may be the only one who can sort out the total mess left by Maharey.

Pete Hodgson new Minister of Health

Also sensible. He has the background generally and it is not a flashpoint.

David Benson-Pope new Minister of Social Development

Not sure how that will go. He may be okay – a challenge for him.

Also Newstalk ZB reports:

Annette King picks up police

Anyone is an improvement on George

Mark Burton is the new Minister of Justice.

Hmmn – could be a weak area for them.

Phil Goff, gets Defence and Overseas Trade Negotiations.

Not a big change.

Jim Anderton loses Economic Development but picks up Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Anderton already did a lot in Forestry so that is sensible. Not sure how he will go down with farmers though.