New Cabinet under attack already

National and ACT attacked Prime Minister Helen Clark's new Cabinet within hours of ministers being sworn in.

Labour elected six new ministers to Cabinet and National's deputy leader, Gerry Brownlee, zeroed in on one of them.

"Helen Clark has shown her complete disregard for the infrastructural crisis facing New Zealand by allocating the critical energy and transport portfolios to rejected Otago MP and Cabinet newcomer David Parker," he said.

"New Zealanders expect transport and energy to be taken far more seriously."

Mr Parker lost the Otago seat to National's Jacqui Dean, and came back to Parliament as a list MP.

When she announced the cabinet yesterday, Helen Clark said she had "absolute confidence" in his ability to manage the key portfolios.

Mr Brownlee also criticised the appointment of Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton as the new agriculture minister, saying the rural community would almost certainly question her choice.

"Labour's lack of talent has been laid bare...this Clark/Peters government was founded on deception and it will continue to deceive," he said.

ACT leader Rodney Hide said that thanks to New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and United Future's Peter Dunne, Helen Clark now had a vice-like grip on the Government.

Mr Peters and Mr Dunne were given ministerial posts outside Cabinet as part of the deal for their support. The combined votes of NZ First and United Future gives the Government a majority in Parliament.

"The Cabinet is 100 per cent Labour -- Jim Anderton is the de facto Labour MP for Wigram," Mr Hide said.

"Over half of Helen Clark's caucus are now ministers. She is now firmly in charge."

Mr Hide said he was not surprised Mr Peters and Mr Dunne had "sold out their votes".

"Winston Peters and Peter Dunne are now the castrated poodles of New Zealand politics."

- NZPA