Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman

31 October 2007

Labour recycles Ministers from 1980s

By dumping of two of her three Ministers in justice portfolios, Helen Clark is admitting how concerned she is at her Government's performance in these areas, says National's Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

"This is essentially a vote of no confidence in the work that has been done in these key areas.

"At best, Justice has been a muddle of confusion and Corrections has been an unmitigated disaster.

"The changes had to be made, but the problem is that the replacements show just how shallow Labour's pool of talent is.

"Phil Goff and Annette King are recycled Ministers from the 1980s.

"They both came into Cabinet as Miami Vice was playing on television and before the Berlin Wall came down.

"They are 1980s faces to fix the problems of the new century.

"This is further exemplified by the fact that Annette King now holds Police and Justice at the same time. That has not happened since at least 1975 - if ever.

"The fact that Phil Goff is the 6th Corrections Minister in eight years, and Annette King is the third Justice Minister speaks for Labour's desperation in these areas.

"So much for revitalisation.

"If this is the fresh face of justice in New Zealand, heaven help us."

ENDS

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