What Helen should do

If a major reshuffle wasn’t looming, Helen would have filled the vacancy caused by David Benson-Pope weeks ago, and given permanent homes to his portfolios.  Hence it is likely she is doing a full reshuffle.  Now she hasn’t been very bold with these in the past, but this is a time when she should be bold.  This is what I would do if I was Helen (and it is genuine advice):

Cullen – has to lose Finance as any 2008 tax cuts will not be credible coming from him. Give him Health as a replacement as the portfolio needs a good manager. Also give him Treaty to keep him busy.

Goff – give Goff Finance.  Goff can do tax cuts far more credibly than Cullen and he rarely puts a foot wrong.  He is under used in Trade.

King – King is under used and could pick up Defence from Goff.

Hodgson – has to lose Health.   Give him Social Development from the former Benson-Pope. Frees him up mroe for election year also.

Burton – goneburger for multiple reasons

Barker – goneburger, better candidates waiting in teh wings

Cunliffe -a former diplomat would be ideal to pick up Trade, gives him a deserved promotion.  Also keep overview of Immigration until law changes through

O’Connor – keep in Cabinet but Corrections too demanding for him. Maybe Associate Immigration again and Associate Economic Development ot go with Rural Affairs

Cunliffe – picks up Trade, loses Communications, IT and  Associate Econ Dev

Cosgrove –  also promote and give Justice to

Shane Jones – promote to Cabinet and give him Comms/IT (he did a good job as Chair of Select Cmte considering the reforms), Associate Finance and a couple of minor Associates

Maryan Street – promote to Cabinet and give her Local Govt

Charles Chauvel – promote to Cabinet and give him Attorney General and Deputy Leader of the House.

That would keep numbers the same, bring in three new faces, and get a fresh look in Finance and Health. I think it would give them a reasonable poll boost and enable them to start setting the agenda again.