Naming his new Cabinet on Monday, John Key has nominated third ranking Gerry Brownlee in the major posts of Economic Development, and Energy and Resources. Sixth ranked Dr Nick Smith will be Minister for the Environment and Minister for Climate Change issues. As well he will be ACC minister. Incoming Trade Minister Tim Groser, because of his international reputation as a trade negotiators, will be associate Minister of Climate Change Issues (international negotiations) and will have the task of leading the NZ team in global negotiations on post-Kyoto commitments.

For the new post of Minister for Infrastructure, Key has nominated Deputy PM and Finance Minister Bill English, and newcomer Steven Joyce besides being Minister of Transport, and Minister for Communications and Information Technology will also be associate Minister for Infrastructure. Both English and Joyce will be responsible for driving National’s plan for the rollout of ultra-fast broadband. Key says fourth-ranked Simon Power will oversee state-owned enterprises as well as being Commerce Minister and associate Minister of Finance.

The new PM says the top four ministers in his Cabinet will all have roles in the economic field: “This cluster of Ministers and related portfolios demonstrate that getting the economy going will be front and centre of our priorities in office. The National-led Govt takes office at a challenging time for the country. The growth outlook is weak and international and domestic difficulties abound. The Govt will concentrate on boosting economic growth because that is what will lead us out of these challenging times. I am confident the team I have announced today has the necessary skills, expertise and determination to tackle the issues that matter to NZers.”

Under the Ministerial structure announced by Key, it is clear the Ministry of Economic Development under CEO David Smol will be a central source of advice not just for Gerry Brownlee (Economic Development and Energy), but for Simon Power (Commerce) and Steven Joyce (Communications and Information Technology). Key indicated there might also be a special unit of officials drawn from several departments to advise on infrastructure issues.

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