Three Arts Spokespersons!
Stuff reports:
National was quick to mock Labour’s reshuffle for its many-headed arts and culture roles led by deputy leader Grant Robertson with associates Jacinda Ardern and Darien Fenton all in the top 20.
Minister Christopher Finlayson tweeted: ‘‘Surprised to see Labour appoint 3 Arts spokespeople. More surprised to learn 2 of them have been in that job for over a year now.’’
I thought this was a joke, but it seems that Arts & Culture is such a hefty portfolio Labour does in fact need three spokespersons for it – all in the shadow Cabinet.
By contrast Christchurch Earthquake Recovery doesn’t even make the shadow Cabinet.
I’ve counted up below the portfolios where Labour has more than one Spokesperson.
- Finance – 5
- Health – 4
- Arts – 3
- Foreign Affairs – 3
- Environment – 2
- Education – 2
- Economic Development – 2
- Science & Innovation – 2
- Justice – 2
- Ethnic Affairs – 2
- Social Development – 2
- Employment – 2
- Sport & Recreation – 2
- Maori Affairs – 2
- Disarmament – 2
You can understand Finance and Health having a few, but again three Arts Spokespersons is ridiculous as is needing three Foreign Affairs spokespersons plus two Disarmament spokespersons.