New National leader Judith Collins has announced that Shane Reti is National's new health spokesman. He has been promoted to the front bench.
Dunedin list MP Michael Woodhouse says he is disappointed at being stripped of his health spokesman's role but enthusiastic about the responsibilities he has been given by new National leader Judith Collins.
Portfolios and shadow cabinet rankings will be revealed by Collins today, although she has already confirmed Paul Goldsmith will remain in finance.
However, her first order of business yesterday was to sort out the future of Woodhouse.
As expected, he lost the role to Whangārei MP Dr Shane Reti.
She said Woodhouse was an excellent performer, but made a mistake handling the leak of details of Covid-19 patients to him by former party president Michelle Boag.
"I am disappointed because I really enjoyed the health role," Woodhouse, a former hospital administrator, said.
"I worked hard in it and I think we made good gains against the Government, but that's the way it is.
National leader Judith Collins moved swiftly to discipline Michael Woodhouse and to confirm Paul Goldsmith in the finance role. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Collins said, "the public was rightly appalled that people's personal medical records were being sent around".
"I thought it [not telling the Minister of Health] was an error.
"I've told Michael my views and he accepts those views.
"I have no doubt at all that Michael will never make that mistake again and I have no doubt at all that in our caucus none of them will."
Woodhouse, who said he entertained no thoughts of standing down, will retain his associate finance and assistant shadow leader of the house roles.
Collins also allocated him two new roles, as spokesman for Pike River recovery and regional development.
"Michael Woodhouse is a stand-out person and I have full confidence in him," she said.
Woodhouse said there was a risk the election campaign debate could have been about his fitness for the health role, rather than National's policies.
"I support that [Collins' decision] because I really want to be talking about the things that matter to New Zealanders and how we get through this [Covid-19]," he said.
"Regional economic development is going to be a big part of that, and I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into it."
