Strengths and Weaknesses of the new Ministry

I’m not going to comment on all 31 Ministers and PUSes but will cover some of them.

Grant Robertson, Finance, Sports: Grant’s performance will be key to the Government. If he can’t keep spending under control, then Labour will have real problems. He is lucky the economy is so strong at the moment so 2018 Budget should be fine, but 2019 may be harder.

Phil Twyford, Housing, Transport: If Twyford keeps his pledge to get rid of the Auckland urban boundary, he’ll be thanked by everyone.

Chris Hipkins, Education, State Services, Leader of the House: A good move to have Hipkins responsible for the entire education portfolio, rather than have Tertiary separate. Having him Minister of State Services may be challenging as he is a former political advisor.

Andrew Little, Justice, Courts, SIS/GCSB, Treaty Negotiations, Pike River: Huge workload. Should be a sound Minister in these areas. Will strike problems though if he proceeds with policy to make people accused of rape prove they are innocent.

David Clark, Health: Will be a test of him. Cost pressures are every increasing and more money does not always mean better services.

David Parker, Attorney-General, Economic Development, Environment, Trade: Should be a strong performer

Clare Curran, Broadcasting, Communications, Digital: Curran often picks fights with media, so having her in Broadcasting could prove dangerous. But a good background for the new digital portfolio.