Reading the reshuffle

Reflecting on the reshuffle, some things are becoming clearer:

• The increase in Cabinet to 21 is temporary. It will revert to 20 when McCully and Parata leave
• Two new Ministers may get appointed in May
• It seems Coleman will not get Foreign Affairs, but probably Mark Mitchell. So in May Kaye and Mitchell take over from Parata and McCully, and Mitchell moves into Cabinet.
• Bennett becoming Minister for Women suggests she will be used to target the female vote.
• Bridges picking up Communications as well as Economic Development was unexpected but suggests it is seen as a core economic portfolio
• Amy Adams becoming Minister for Social Investment is a huge vote of confidence from English and suggests she is next in line to be Finance Minister. Also giving her Social Housing and HNZC is big.
• Smith’s remit is now on construction and building, rather than wider housing issues
• Collins picking up Revenue could be significant. She has a strong commercial background and could bring her formidable arsenal to bear on multinationals minimising their tax in New Zealand
• Dean and Bennett’s promotions means ever MP from the class of 2005 has now been made a Minister