‘Youthful’ team chosen

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 1

‘Youthful’ team chosen

National’s leader, Mr Bolger, regained his mana with party members’ demanding boldness by yesterday'announcing a youthful team which he hopes will become the 1990 Cabinet. While loyalty saw him retain Mr Bill- Birch (Maramarua) in third ranking, Mr Bolger secured unity from Miss Ruth Richardson’s supporters with her appointment as spokesman on finance. She is fourth in the caucus line-up. Sir Robert Muldoon was offered Defence and a move from the front bench in Parliament. But he chose not to accept the defence spokesmanship, and joins new members with no specific responsibility. He is seated in position 29. Mr Bolger assumed the foreign affairs spokesmanship which Sir Robert lost. »

Sir Robert’s departure from the front bench is accompanied by that of the veteran, Mr Venn Young (Waitotara) and Mr Warren Cooper (Otago). Apart from Miss Richardson and Mr McKinnon, the other new members of the front bench are politicians with distinctly different styles. Mr Paul East (Rotorua), aged 40, is a lawyer, respected for his intelligent approach to issues. He retains his position as Shadow Attorney-General and spokesman on justice. Constitutional affairs is another responsibility. Mr Winston Peters (Tauranga), aged 41, remains Maori Affairs spokesman, and expressed delight that he had been given the employment spokesmanship. A surprise front bench appointment is Mr Doug Kidd (Marlborough), aged 45, who loses his

spokesmanship on defence but gains those of associate finance, inland revenue and regional development. There are two further associate finance spokesmen. One is Mr Simon Upton (Raglan), who is Miss Richardson’s closest caucus ally. He will monitor social policy spending. The other associate spokesman is the deputy leader, Mr McKinnon. Mr McKinnon also holds the health and defence spokesmanships. Mr Birch retains that on labour, and Mr John Falloon (Pahiatua) keeps agriculture. Mr John Banks (Whangarei) gets the police spokesmanship after his forceful advocacy on law and order issues.. Mr Jim Gerard (Rangiora) lost his role as spokesman on broadcasting. List, page 3