O’Connor lands transport role

Damien O’Connor has been made Associate Minister of Transport following Kiri Allan’s resignation as a minister after being taken into police custody following a car crash.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has been forced to relocate Allan’s portfolios following her decision to step down on July 24. 

Police charged her with careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer following an incident in Wellington the previous night.

Allan also blew over the legal limit for breath alcohol and was given an infringement notice, report Stuff.

Hipkins says the rejigging of ministerial duties means David Parker has passed on his revenue portfolio to Barbara Edmonds to free him up to focus on transport.

“Damien O’Connor will pick up associate transport and will support David Parker in that role,” the PM adds.

O’Connor, pictured, already holds the agriculture, biosecurity, land information, and trade and export growth portfolios.

Meanwhile, Ginny Andersen has become the new Minister of Justice, and Kieran McAnulty is now the Minister for Regional Development.