KEY POINTS:
Labour leader Phil Goff named his shadow Cabinet today, promoting some new faces but relying on experience to attack National.
In contrast to National leader John Key's approach, he has not brought forward any of the untried new entrants but all 43 MPs have at least one portfolio to look after.
All, except the new intake and former prime minister Helen Clark and her deputy Michael Cullen, have a ranking.
Mr Goff said there would be a shake up before election, promoting those who had shone.
In an indirect criticism of Mr Key, he said it was better for new MPs to get experience before being promoted.
"I think they would agree it's better to walk before they run."
Ruth Dyson, health, Clayton Cosgrove, law and order and state-owned enterprises, Nanaia Mahuta, environment and tourism, Maryan Street, trade and tertiary education and Darren Hughes, transport, are the frontbench promotions.
They join Mr Goff, SIS, Annette King, social development, David Cunliffe, finance, Chris Carter, education and Parekura Horomia, Maori Affairs.
The three MPs promoted into the shadow Cabinet are Charles Chauvel, climate change and energy, Moana Mackey, rural affairs and research and development, Sue Moroney, early childhood education, Winnie Laban, Pacific Island affairs and Mr Hughes.
Mr Hughes and Ms Laban were ministers outside Cabinet in the previous Labour-led government.
Asked if Labour saw National's new Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, a second-term MP, as a weak link Mr Goff said the portfolio was one Labour saw as a priority.
"That priority will be even greater in testing economic times where ... the most vulnerable are very quickly the primary victims of an economic downturn."
He said Ms Bennett may have been promoted for her promise but suspected she would struggle to withstand "the phalanx of the economic portfolio ministers that will be looking for savings in that area".
Shane Jones will shadow ACT leader Rodney Hide who is the Minister for Local Government.
"This could be the testing ground for ACT's ideology and right wing policies," Mr Goff said.
Ms Mahuta would shadow Mr Key in tourism.
"I think that Nanaia will be the measure of John Key in this area."
Mr Cunliffe has had a fast rise through the ranks.
"He's a quick learner, you have seen him effectively undertake difficult portfolios like health he will be very effective in the finance area."
Mr Hughes was classified as front bencher but will sit in the whip's seat next to Dr Cullen who chose his position.
Steve Chadwick was junior whip. Mr Goff said that was not a demotion, was a role she wanted and she also retained conservation which she asked for.
"She's very happy with her placing and her role in the new line-up."
Pete Hodgson was no longer on the front bench which he was comfortable about.
"It's not so much a reflection on Pete as it is an acknowledgement of those new members moving forward who will be here over the longer term and will be contributing."
Progressive leader Jim Anderton will be a front bench MP and hold the shadow agriculture portfolio.
Mr Goff said Mr Chauvel got climate change because he wanted it and Mr Parker was keen on other roles which he got.
"I think Charles is clearly one of the most qualified and really politically astute members of a new intake of Labour members over the last three years."
Mr Goff said there was no despondency in the Caucus.
Asked how long he expected Miss Clark to stay on, Mr Goff said it was likely she would be snapped up for an international position.
- NZPA
