Politics Live Blog - April 22-28
Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds lose portfolios
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
In an unexpected Cabinet reshuffle just announced, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has stripped Melissa Lee of her role as media minister and removed her from Cabinet.
He has also taken the role of disabilities minister off Penny Simmonds, who had not been in Cabinet.
Luxon said he made those changes after it became clear there were serious issues in both portfolios, requiring the attention of "senior Cabinet ministers".
“It has become clear in recent months that there are significant challenges in the media sector. Similarly, we have discovered major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People," he said, in a statement.
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Goldsmith would take over as media minister.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston would take over as minister of disability issues.
With Lee gone from Cabinet, Luxon said Climate Change Minister Simon Watts would move into Cabinet.
He has also taken the role of disabilities minister off Penny Simmonds, who had not been in Cabinet.
Luxon said he made those changes after it became clear there were serious issues in both portfolios, requiring the attention of "senior Cabinet ministers".
“It has become clear in recent months that there are significant challenges in the media sector. Similarly, we have discovered major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People," he said, in a statement.
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Goldsmith would take over as media minister.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston would take over as minister of disability issues.
With Lee gone from Cabinet, Luxon said Climate Change Minister Simon Watts would move into Cabinet.