Senior National MP Amy Adams has ditched her retirement plans and is the big winner as Todd Muller outlined the new National caucus today.
Senior National MP Amy Adams has ditched her retirement plans and is the big winner as Todd Muller outlined the new National caucus today.
It appears Adams has changed her mind about her political future and has been given a key role on the party's front bench.
She has been given the shadow portfolio of Covid-19 recovery – which is expected to be a centrepiece of National's election campaign.
Former party leader Simon Bridges has confirmed that he will stay on and stand in the 2020 election.
"Just to be clear after the reshuffle today, I am not considering my future. Just having a small amount of time out to take stock after the loss on Friday. I am candidate for Tauranga and intend to stand and help National obtain an historic win!"
It came after Muller said Bridges was taking time to consider his political future, but would be assured of a Cabinet position if he decided to stay on and National was in Government.
Amy Adams, Todd Muller, and Nikki Kaye at today's caucus unveiling. Photo / Audrey Young
Muller said he and Bridges have had "very good conversations" and a "robust debate".
However Bridges' former deputy Paula Bennett has been shuffled down the shadow Cabinet rankings. She keeps the drug reform and women portfolio but loses social investment and social services.
He said National will save jobs by leveraging the country's "great strength".
Muller said everyone in New Zealand has received a huge shock, as a result of Covid-19. He said he had been reflecting with Adams for a number of weeks, as to National's Covid plans.
It would be "too great a loss" for New Zealand when Adams had so much to offer.
Muller's "total focus" was on who was the best team and who could help drive plans for an economic plan for New Zealand.
"We have 14 weeks to go," he said on the election.
Adams said her decision to stay was not to do with Simon Bridges' leadership.
The Papakura MP, and former lawyer, has also been made the Shadow Attorney-General – she takes over from Tim Macindoe.
Muller supporter Nicola Willis wins big from the reshuffle. The list MP who came into Parliament in 2017 has been given the Housing and Urban Development shadow portfolio.
She has gone from unranked to number 14 and in the shadow Cabinet - a significant jump.
Muller said Willis was talented and deserved her rise, while Kaye said she was "extraordinarily talented".
Hutt South MP Chris Bishop keeps transport and picks up infrastructure – formally held by Paul Goldsmith.
Goldsmith, remains in the front bench and will continue in his role as finance spokesman and has been given Earthquake Commission.
Asked what he learned from the MAGA (Make America Great Again) Trump hat saga in his collection, Muller said he had a "number of political" memorabilia.
He said that was all it was and does not represent his political views.
"My focus is not caps," he said, noting he had never worn the cap.
But his accepted the fact that it could be controversial to many.
Muller said he would only be wearing National Party hats in the future.
