Bishop clings to transport role in National reshuffle
Chris Bishop remains National’s spokesman for transport following a slight rejig of the party’s caucus by new leader Todd Muller.
The Hutt South MP, who was a key supporter in Muller’s successful bid to replace Simon Bridges in the top role, has moved up four spots to number 12 on the party’s rankings and is also made infrastructure spokesman.
Bishop, pictured left with Muller, said in a post on his Facebook page that he was “absolutely delighted” to be asked to serve on the frontbench with the infrastructure and transport portfolios.
“Both portfolios are critical to New Zealand’s future and I am looking forward to developing and delivering our plans,” he added.
Muller has mostly kept MPs in similar jobs to those they held previously, with some minor ranking adjustment.
The biggest surprise in his shadow cabinet is the return of Amy Adams as the party’s spokeswoman on Covid-19, which means she will not be following through on her announcement in April 2019 to retire from politics at the next election.
Muller says the whole focus of National will be on leading New Zealand out of the coronavirus crisis and he believed his team was better able to do that than the Coalition.
Elsewhere, Judith Collins takes on economic development and regional economic development, Paul Goldsmith retains the finance portfolio, and Todd McClay hangs on to his trade and tourism role.
Muller has appointed himself spokesman for small business, while former leader Bridges he was not handed a portfolio in the May 25 announcement and is not ranked.
Other key economic portfolios include Shane Reti, skills and employment, Andrew Bayly, revenue, commerce and state-owned enterprises, Jonathan Young, energy and resources, Scott Simpson, environment, climate change and RMA reform, Stuart Smith, immigration; Parmjeet Parmar, research, science and innovation, Hamish Walker, forestry, Tim van de Molen, building and construction, Dan Bidois, workplace relations and safety, and Matt King, regional development (North Island).
To see the full list of National Party roles, click here.
