Simon Bridges appointed NZ’s minister of Transport
AirCargo archive stories issue 233
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Simon Bridges is New Zealand’s new minister of Transport, in the post-election executive formed by PM John Key.
Touted by many pundits as a likely future prime minister, Bridges (aged 38) also shot up the executive rankings by nine places to take a seat on the ‘front bench’.
Bridges was a previous associate minister of Transport but lost that role last year in a pre-election shuffle which that saw him take on other more senior responsibilities.
A former lawyer and crown prosecutor with a formidable academic record, Bridges also retains the energy and resources portfolio, as well as becoming deputy leader of the House. He also holds associate ministerial roles.
Gerry Brownlee, the former Transport minister, continues as leader of the House and retains his roles in leading the Christchurch earthquake recovery. He has also been appointed Defence minister.
While Bridges is further down the cabinet rankings than Brownlee this is not regarded as particularly significant in terms of transport priorities, given that the big portfolio was not Brownlee’s primary concern. Bridges is likely to be more active in transport and infrastructure.
The new associate minister of transport is Craig Foss, one of the demotions in the new executive line-up. He is now a minister outside cabinet and is regarded as being on the way out, especially after losing his electorate during the election.
Nicky Wagner remains minister of Customs.
Simon Bridges appointed NZ’s minister of Transport
AirCargo archive stories issue 233
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Simon Bridges is New Zealand’s new minister of Transport, in the post-election executive formed by PM John Key.
Touted by many pundits as a likely future prime minister, Bridges (aged 38) also shot up the executive rankings by nine places to take a seat on the ‘front bench’.
Bridges was a previous associate minister of Transport but lost that role last year in a pre-election shuffle which that saw him take on other more senior responsibilities.
A former lawyer and crown prosecutor with a formidable academic record, Bridges also retains the energy and resources portfolio, as well as becoming deputy leader of the House. He also holds associate ministerial roles.
Gerry Brownlee, the former Transport minister, continues as leader of the House and retains his roles in leading the Christchurch earthquake recovery. He has also been appointed Defence minister.
While Bridges is further down the cabinet rankings than Brownlee this is not regarded as particularly significant in terms of transport priorities, given that the big portfolio was not Brownlee’s primary concern. Bridges is likely to be more active in transport and infrastructure.
The new associate minister of transport is Craig Foss, one of the demotions in the new executive line-up. He is now a minister outside cabinet and is regarded as being on the way out, especially after losing his electorate during the election.
