English named infrastructure minister, Joyce gets transport

Monday 17th November 2008

Prime Minister John Key named deputy Bill English to the new role of Minister of Infrastructure and appointed newcomer Steven Joyce to transport, consigning Maurice Williamson to posts out the Cabinet.

Other fast-risers include Christopher Finlayson as Attorney-General and Tim Groser as Minister of Trade. Paula Bennett becomes Minister for Social Development and Employment.

"This government will concentrate on boosting economic growth because that is what will lead us out of these challenging times," Key said in a statement today.

English, also Minister of Finance, will be responsible, along with Joyce, for the roll-out of high-speed broadband services. "Part of the right response is to tackle the infrastructure blockages," Key said.

Kate Wilkinson was appointed Minister of Labour and Murray McCully will be Foreign Minister.

Gerry Brownlee, ranked third in the Cabinet, will be Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Energy and Resources and Leader of the House.

Lockwood Smith is set to be appointed Speaker.

Key's team:
Agriculture: David Carter
Attorney-General: Christopher Finlayson
Building and Construction: Maurice Williamson
Civil Defence: John Carter
Community and Voluntary Sector: Tariana Turia
Consumer Affairs: Heather Roy
Courts: Georgina te Heuheu
Defence: Wayne Mapp
Education: Anne Tolley
Energy and Resources: Gerry Brownlee
Environment: Nick Smith
Ethnic Affairs: Pansy Wong
Finance: Bill English
Fisheries: Phil Heatley
Foreign: Murray McCully
Health: Tony Ryall
Immigration: Jonathan Coleman
Internal Affairs: Richard Worth
Justice: Simon Power
Labour: Kate Wilkinson
Local Government: Rodney Hide
Maori Affairs: Pita Sharples
Police: Judith Collins
Revenue: Peter Dunne
Social Development and Employment: Paula Bennett
Tourism: John Key
Trade: Tim Groser
Transport: Steven Joyce
Treaty Negotiations: Chris Finlayson

By Jonathan Underhill

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