Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:38a.m.
By Duncan Garner
Phil Goff's reshuffle has stopped short of really punishing errant MP Chris Carter. Carter has been demoted to number 13, that's just outside the frontbench. Sure he loses his treasured Foreign Affairs portfolio - but as punishment he picks up his other great love, Conservation.
Why? Carter doesn't deserve to be at 13. He doesn't deserve such a plum portfolio. The way he has handled his demotion has been far from impressive. He is still, as I write this, refusing to publicly accept he has done anything wrong.
His statement last night said he accepted Phil Goff's right to demote him. It did not accept any blame or wrongdoing for his many and varied abuses of the taxpayer’s dollar. In short - he's not showing enough contrition.
Goff says that even he's disappointed with the way Carter has handled this. Surely, that's direct criticism from Goff - and it makes me wonder why Carter has kept a senior role. He doesn't deserve it.
I said yesterday and I'll repeat it today - I think Goff's handling of his three errant MPs has been top notch. Goff returned to the country Sunday afternoon and by midday Monday all three had been dumped. He looked decisive and clinical. But Carter looks like he has contempt for his leader by not fronting on this and taking it on the chin. Look at Shane Jones, he's almost overexposed on the apology front.
Anyway the reshuffle has happened as a result of this expenses saga. And as predicted on 3 News last night the two major winners are Charles Chauvel and Nanaia Mahuta.
Both move to the frontbench. On the front bench Maryann Street picks up the Foreign Affairs portfolio and David Parker Economic Development - these are promotions.
On the backbenches the big winner is Grant Robertson. His ranking is still a lowly 20, just one above Shane Jones, but he picks up Tertiary Education. He will be good.
Robertson may well be a future leader. I seriously rate his knowledge of his portfolio areas and his work ethic. I still think Goff wasn't bold enough though. Robertson should go closer to the frontbench. Who cares if he's a first term MP? He's more than capable - more capable than some on the front bench. Stephen Joyce is a first term MP and Minister - is anyone suggesting he's not up to it.
Anyway Goff's got a bigger reshuffle to come later in the year. So there will be changes and he's leaving some room to move.
Goff said yesterday Carter simply travelled too much on the taxpayer, it was too costly and his partner went with him too often.
And that's without mentioning the credit card bills for the mugs, sauna, flowers and magazine racks. It's a long way back for Carter. Too far probably. If he wants to stay in the Labour tent he needs to show contrition and front up - and he may do that this afternoon.
But as I write this I'm seeing no signs of that.