National shrugs off Muldoonites in reshuffle

Press, 11 February 1986, Page 1

National shrugs off Muldoonites in reshuffle

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

Some Muldoon loyalists have been demoted in an enlarged Opposition front bench stacked with supporters of the National Party leader, Mr Jim McLay.

Mr Bill Birch, a champion of the former leader, Sir Robert Muldoon, and the “think big” projects, has dropped seven places in the ranking; announced yesterday by Mr McLay. Three new faces, including the member of Parliament for Selwyn, Miss Ruth Richardson, have been brought in to the top eight to bolster a “more market” economic platform. McLay backers have been rewarded ahead of those readily identified with Sir Robert and his policies. By borrowing a trick used by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, when Labour was in Opposition, Mr McLay heis avoided a “Night of the Long Knives.”

The extension of his front bench from eight to 12 seats has enabled him to bring forward his supporters without appearing too savage on his opponents. The top eight now include four people who were not members of a Muldoon Cabinet before the 1984 election defeat. Mr lan McLean (Tarawera), who was promoted last year, is joined by Miss Richardson, Mr Michael Cox (Manawatu),

and Mr Doug Kidd (Marlborough). Mr McLean has not performed well in his role as spokesman on agriculture, which is of vital importance to the National Party. He is, however, so close to Mr McLay personally and too representative of the new wave Mr McLay is encouraging to be demoted. Indeed, he has risen three places to No. 5 and has been given the role of economic theorist as well as spokesman for the diminishing field of trade and industry. As the only trained economist in the National caucus he is equipped for the role, but it is not clear how as a theorist he will work with the economic triumvirate that Mr

McLay has appointed. This is headed by Mr Cox, another McLay supporter. It includes, as before, Mr John Falloon (Pahiatua). Mr Doug Graham (Remuera) has been added. All three have specific functions under the direction of Mr Cox, who rises from twelfth to sixth. Mr Kidd, who is now ranked seventh, has lost the area of fishing in which he was an expert. He has kept defence in

which he has performed well against the Minister, Mr O’Flynn. Mr Kidd, who is remembered for his advocacy for the tightening of abortion legislation in 1983, has gained national development. Miss Richardson becomes the first woman to sit on the front bench of either Government or Opposition in New Zealand’s Parliament. She keeps the area of education, in which she achieved prominence last year, and gains youth issues. She gains promotion, also, because of her increasing role as National’s ideological purist. By extending his front bench Mr McLay has avoided humiliating too much the three who were

demoted to make way for Messrs Cox, Kidd and Miss Richardson. Mr Birch (Franklin) has dropped from No. 3 to No. 12. His poor performance as head of the previous finance triumvirate has had something to do with this. Mr Birch has been punished also for his connection with the now discredited “think big” projects, for his devotion to Sir Robert during National’s years of office,

and his presumed support for Mr McLay’s replacement last year by the deputy leader, Mr Jim Bolger. National’s social conscience, Mr George Gain (North Shore), has been dropped from No. 4 to No. 11. For all his great record as an administrator, and for his distance from the now discredited Muldoonism, Mr Gair has not survived his poor performance as labour spokesman in the last year. He picks up health, and passes labour on to Mr Birch.

The third to be demoted is Mr John Falloon (Pahiatua) whose illness (indeed the illness of his family generally) prevented him from shining last year.

Further reports, page 9

Mr Paul East (Rotorua), a fine speaker in the House, and one who has done well as Justice spokesman, is also on the extended front bench.

The enlarged bench serves to hide the demotion of some of those who have either done badly or are identified with Muldoonism. These include Mr Tony Friedlander (New Plymouth), Mr Winston Peters (Tauranga), and Mr Bruce Townshend (Kaimai). Older members of Parliament such as Mr Norman Jones (Invercargill) and Mr Neil Austin (Bay of Islands) also have not done well.

The announcement by four members that they plan to retire has enabled Mr McLay to push them up the back to sit with Sir Robert — still bottom on No. 38 — and bring everyone else forward.

Two who have bene-

fited from this, and also from sensible appointments, are Mr John Banks (Whangarei) and Mr Philip Burdon (Fendalton). The aggressive Mr Banks has been given local government. The change for Mr Burdon is more significant. As the only metropolitan National member outside Auckland, and the Opposition’s only self-made millionaire, common sense has prevailed and he has lost health and been given customs — an area about which he knows a lot.

Mr Bolger retains the No. 2 spot with agricul ture, Mr Warren Cooper (Otago) goes up to No. 3 with foreign affairs, and Mr Venn Young (Waitotara) rises to No. 4 with social welfare.

More important is that the new appointments reflect the kind of National Party Mr McLay wants. They are young, articulate, and professional; they are flag carriers for

the philosophies around which he wants to build the party. People who are tarred with “Muldoonism” are not what he wants.

Mr McLay and his associates still have to sell this new National to the voting public. Should public opinion polls show no measurable increase in public support then his hold on the leadership will remain insecure.

The extended front bench of 12 comprises.— Mr McLay (1) Leader, 5.1.5.; Mr Bolger (2) Deputy Leader, agriculture; Mr Cooper (3), foreign affairs, regional development, South Island development; Mr Young (4), social welfare; Mr McLean (5), trade and industry, economic development; Mr Cox (6), finance (economic policy); Mr Kidd (7), defence, national development; Miss Richardson (8), education; Mr East (9), justice; Mr Falloon (10), overseas trade, finance (spending); Mr Gair (11), health; Mr Birch (12), labour, employment

The next eight includes the two Whips: Mr McKinnon, State corporations; and Mr Gray, works and development

Their second bench-mates are.— Mr John Banks (local government), tourism; Mr Phillip Burdon, customs; Mr Roger McLay, housing; Mr Tony Friedlander, energy; Mr Simon Upton, environment, science; Mr Winston Peters, transport

The third bench includes three first-term members of Piarliament who are considered to be making the most progress.— Mr Doug Graham, finance (taxation and revenue); Mr Rob Storey, associate agriculture; and Mr Roger Maxwell, Post Office.

The other five on the third bench are.— Mr Norman Jones, police; Mr Neil Austin, lands, fisheries; Mr Graeme Lee, family issues; Mr/Bruce

Townshend, immigration; Mr Derek Angus, forests. In the next group are five new members.— Mr Jim Gerard, broadcasting; Mr Denis Marshall, associate agriculture; Mrs Katherine O’Regan, consumer affairs; Mr Lockwood Smith, associate agriculture; and Mr Maurice McTigue, associate South Island development. Shoved up the back are four members who have announced their retirement, and Sir Robert. Mr Jack Luxton has foreign relations and Pacific Island affairs; Mr Rex Austin has associate agriculture; and Mr Merv Wellington has the Accident Compensation Corporation. Sir Robert and Mr Rob Talbot have no spokesmanships.