Bennett relieved of portfolio

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has dropped her additional Disability Issues portfolio because Prime Minister John Key wants her to concentrate on the growing numbers of people losing their jobs.

Labour last night said Ms Bennett had lost the disability portfolio because she never got up to speed with it.

Mr Key said he was relieving Ms Bennett of the portfolio so she could better concentrate on the Social Development and Employment portfolio.

Mr Key said these portfolios faced "big issues", particularly Social Development, which dealt with the unemployed.

There are more than 1000 people signing up for the unemployment benefit each week, and total numbers are expected to double from 45,000 to 90,000 in 2011.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia has picked up the disability portfolio and Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong becomes associate minister.

Labour disability issues spokeswoman Darien Fenton said there was "not a peep" from Ms Bennett on the portfolio since National had been in power. She said Ms Bennett's decision underlined "her inability to understand the issues" and her lack of commitment to the sector.