Three new Cabinet ministers picked

12.45pm

MPs Ruth Dyson, John Tamihere and Chris Carter have been picked by their Labour colleagues for promotion into ministerial positions.

Which MPs would be in Cabinet was decided at a Labour caucus meeting this morning, but who will hold what job will not be announced until Wednesday.

Under Labour rules, MPs elect who will be in Cabinet. Prime Minister Helen Clark then allocates portfolios, and appoints ministers and under-secretaries outside Cabinet.

No current Cabinet office holders were dropped, so it will still comprise 20 people including Jim Anderton.

Labour MPs also chose David Benson Pope to replace Mr Carter as senior whip and Jill Pettis as junior whip. This indicates that the current whip Rick Barker is likely to be given a ministerial portfolio outside Cabinet.

Miss Clark said the allocation of portfolios inside Cabinet and ministerial posts would take place in the next couple of days, but no later than Wednesday.

Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright will swear in the new executive on Thursday.

Miss Clark said there had been two weeks of discussion and lobbying between the election and today's meeting.

Labour's election of MPs for higher office has very rarely led to a prime minister being handed a candidate he or she does not approve or losing a valued minister.

Three ministerial jobs and increased pay packages were up for grabs, after the election demise of junior coalition partner the Alliance.

Alliance MPs Sandra Lee, Laila Harre and Matt Robson were ministers in the previous administration. Mr Robson did not follow Mr Anderton back into Cabinet.

Miss Clark is likely to use positions outside Cabinet to appease those who hoped for higher office.

New Plymouth MP Harry Duynhoven has been picked by some to get a minister's job outside cabinet after he reacted angrily to getting no position last time around.

Ms Dyson is being tipped to take over the women's affairs and statistics portfolios from Ms Harre and possibly ACC.

Mr Carter was said to be in line for Conservation Minister, or perhaps the defence portfolio.

Maori MPs have lobbied for a stronger presence in cabinet, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said last month.

Labour retained all seven Maori seats in the election, some with increased majorities.

Mr Tamihere's promotion will go some way to appeasing those calls.

- NZPA

Full election coverage

Graphic: Seats in the 47th Parliament

Full election results

Election links:
The parties, policies, electoral information, and more