Key announces Cabinet reshuffle
By Rory MacKinnon

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• Scoop Audio: Listen to the second half of Tuesday's Post Cabinet Press Conference where Prime Minster John Key announces a cabinet reshuffle. For the first half of the conference, where Key announces a new policy of openness for the SAS, Click Here

Prime Minister John Key announced a shake-up of Cabinet Monday, saying the government needed to focus on its key election promises.

The Prime Minister said he was “more than happy” with his Cabinet’s performance but would be making a number of changes.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce will relieve Anne Tolley of the tertiary education portfolio, while Kate Wilkinson will become Conservation Minister.

Meanwhile incumbent Conservation Minister Tim Groser will take on a new role as Minister of Climate Change Negotiations.

Groser’s new title was a reflection of Groser’s responsibilities and time spent in talks overseas as Trade Minister, Key said.

“He’s got a huge programme of work in front of him; everything from trans-Pacific partnership to Korea and India [free trade agreements].”

“It just didn’t make sense to have Tim coming in tangentially on the conservation debate when he’s just not in New Zealand enough to give credit to the portfolio.”

Tolley has had a rough ride as tertiary education minister: since receiving the portfolio she has missed meetings with student politicians, was criticised in the house for touring the Auckland University of Technology by helicopter and was the focus of public outcry surrounding cuts to adult and community education.

But Key rebuffed suggestions that Tolley had been underperforming, saying he wanted her focused on implementing national standards for literacy and numeracy.

The changes would be effective Tuesday and would not affect Cabinet’s rankings, he said.

In other news Key said Cabinet had discussed a review of the minimum wage and Minister of Labour would be issuing a press release on Tuesday.

The minister would be focused on maintaining and growing job numbers and providing opportunities for economic growth, he said.

Key said National standards are of critical importance to the government

The above audio is the second half of Tuesday's Post Cabinet Press Conference. To listen to the first half of the conference, where Prime Minister John Key and NZDF chief Lt. Gen. Jerry Mateparae announce a new policy of openness regarding Special Air Service operations, CLICK HERE

ENDS

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