Brown lands transport role for Nats
Simeon Brown has moved into the role of transport spokesman for the National Party after new leader Christopher Luxon announced his first line-up.
The Pakuranga MP, who has also been handed the public service portfolio, replaces David Bennett in the position.
Brown, pictured, entered Parliament in 2017 and was National’s spokesman for police, serious fraud, youth and corrections, and also deputy shadow leader of the house before Luxon’s announcement on December 6.
Prior to entering politics, Brown completed law and commerce degrees at the University of Auckland and worked in commercial finance at the Bank of New Zealand.
Matt Doocey is the party’s new associate transport spokeswoman and will also hold the same role for health and has been given the mental health and youth portfolios.
Luxon’s announcement comes nearly a week after he took over the party leadership from Judith Collins, who remains in the shadow cabinet with the research, science and innovation portfolio.
Luxon had already named Nicola Willis as his deputy and Simon Bridges as his number three and finance spokesman before announcing the full line-up.
“My shadow cabinet leverages the wealth of talent and depth of real-world experience across the National caucus team,” Luxon says
“I have deliberately selected a shadow cabinet of 20 members to match the government’s cabinet.
“I’m confident that when you put any of National’s shadow ministers against their Labour counterparts, you’ll see that National’s MPs have the deep experience, the political skills, the work ethic and the intellectual grunt to come out on top every time.”
Key positions and spokespeople
Leader: Christopher Luxon
Deputy leader: Nicola Willis
Transport: Simeon Brown plus associates Matt Doocey and Scott Simpson
Finance: Simon Bridges plus associate Simon Watts
Environment: Scott Simpson
Commerce and consumer affairs: Andrew Bayly
Biosecurity: Barbara Kruiger
ACC: Michael Woodhouse
Energy and resources: Stuart Smith
Immigration: Erica Stanford
Economic development: David Bennett
Small business: Andrew Bayly
Tourism: Todd McClay plus associate Joseph Mooney
Social development and employment: Louise Upston
Customs: Simon O’Connor
Covid-19 response: Chris Bishop
Workplace relations: Paul Goldsmith
Trade and export growth: Todd McClay
Agriculture: Barbara Kruiger plus associates Tim van de Molen, Nicola Grigg and Joseph Mooney
Forestry: Ian McKelvie
Infrastructure: Simon Bridges plus associate Simon Watts
