Audrey rates the Cabinet

Audrey Young does her annual rating of the Cabinet. The first figure is for this year, and the second a year ago. Comments after each rating are mine not hers. And note I am rating them on the basis of competence, not on whether I agree with their policies.

Helen Clark 7 (7) – I’d be a lower on the basis of the handing of election spending and smacking

Michael Cullen 6 (7) – Here I would have Cullen higher. He has made less mistakes than Clark.

Jim Anderton 6 (6) – about right. Handling of forestry may push him lower though.

Steve Maharey 6 (7) – I would be no more than a five. Probably a four.

Phil Goff 9 (9) – can;t disagree. He also remains de facto Foreign Minister in some areas

Annette King 9 (7) – Maybe a bit generous but yes at least an eight.

Trevor Mallard 4 (6) – Deserves to go down for the stadium, but 4 is a bit rough. I would say 5.

Pete Hodgson 4 (4) – Hodgson was once the safe pair of hands. King kept health reasonably happy for six years and under Hodgson all turning wrong.

Parekura Horomia 5 (5) – Hasn’t made a dick of himself lately so a 5 is about right.
Maori Affairs

Mark Burton 2 (2) – I can’t think of anything he has achieved, but a 2 should be reserved for major disasters. I would be a 3 or 4.

Ruth Dyson 5 (5) – yep an average performer

Chris Carter 8 (7) – I would mark lower for Whangamata Marina – a 7 at best.

Rick Barker 5 (6) – I would make him a 3 or 4 for turning down the funding for Karori Sanctuary when anyone with political instincts should know you approve the venue where the PM launched the policy from.

David Benson-Pope 4 (3) – has been invisible, but this is probably a deliberate strategy

Lianne Dalziel 6 (6) – I might be a bit more generous and say a 7. I am hearing some positive stuff from business about her.

Damien O’Connor 2 (8) – sadly (as he is a nice guy) a 2 is the maximum one can give.

David Cunliffe 8 (8) – yep not only making good decisions in telecommunications but also handling Immigration as well as any Minister can

David Parker 6 (6) – about right

Nanaia Mahuta 5 (6) – makes Rock Barker seem dynamic as her predecessor in Customs. A 4.
Customs / Youth Affairs

Clayton Cosgrove 8 (7) – Cosgrove has surprised many by his steady performance.

So if we take Audrey’s ratings from top to bottom we have:

Phil Goff 9
Annette King 9
Clayton Cosgrove 8
David Cunliffe 8
Chris Carter 8
Helen Clark 7
Michael Cullen 6
Jim Anderton 6
Steve Maharey 6
Lianne Dalziel 6
David Parker 6
Nanaia Mahuta 5
Parekura Horomia 5
Ruth Dyson 5
Rick Barker 5
Trevor Mallard 4
Pete Hodgson 4
David Benson-Pope 4
Damien O’Connor 2
Mark Burton 2

Now it is interesting to look at some stats analysis. Audrey has an average grade of 5.58, while I have 5.53 (hmmn I have been fair). But a year ago the average was 6.05 – so a really clear trend.

Only three Cabinet Ministers improved their score, and each by one point only. Six Ministers declined, one by as much as six points.