Lange all set to reshuffle pack
By
OLIVER RIDDELL
Today’s first meeting of the Cabinet for the year is expected to lead to a minor reshuffle of portfolios and the appointment of a new Minister of Health. » But the Prime Minister, ML Lange, says he does not plan to extend the Cabinet beyond its present 18 members. That means the Labour caucus will not be asked to elect replacements for the two Cabinet Ministers sacked last year — Messrs Roger Douglas and Richard Prebble. A new Minister of Health is needed with the elevation of Mr Caygill to Minister of Finance in place of Mr Douglas. The popular choice in the Labour caucus is the Minister of Housing and Conservation, Ms Clark, who may keep housing but lose conservation — probably to the Minister of Police and Forestry, Mr Tapsell, who is a former Minister in charge of the Wildlife Service and keen on outdoor issues. Ms Clark would be the country’s second woman Minister of Health. Miss Mabel Howard had the portfolio from 1947 to 1949. Ms Clark is strongly supported by
the 10-member Labour women’s caucus in Parliament. There is also a vacancy on Labour’s front bench. Some of her colleagues would like to see Ms Clark on the front bench as well. Labour has not had a woman oh the front bench since its election in 1984 and having Ms Clark is seen as counter-balancing the presence of Miss Ruth Richardson on National’s front bench. Mr Lange may wish to reward performance in the Cabinet as well as seek a gender balance with National. If he does look further than Ms Clark, the main contenders would be the Minister of Social Welfare, Dr Cullen, the Minister of Employment, Mr Goff, or an older figure such as the Minister of Agriculture from 1972-75 and 1984-89, Mr Moyle. The resignation of Mr Trevor de Cleene from his customs and revenue portfolios leaves three Associate Ministers and four Under-Secretaries outside the Cabinet. Mr Lange has already signalled some redistribution of work among them, and might appoint new ones too.
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Press, 24 January 1989, Page 1
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347Lange all set to reshuffle pack Press, 24 January 1989, Page 1
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