Prime Minister John Key has indicated that Nelson MP Nick Smith will make a return to Cabinet.
With the departure of Speaker Lockwood Smith, the Prime Minister is due to announce a reshuffle of his top line up tomorrow.
Key all but confirmed the move to ONE News Political Editor Corin Dann at the end of his Antarctica trip this morning.
-
Related
"They're pretty well educated guesses but you'll have to wait until tomorrow," Key said.
Dr Nick Smith resigned from Cabinet in March last year after he was found to have written a letter on ministerial letterhead supporting Pullar, a former close friend and National Party activist.
Dann said it was likely that Smith would get a second chance because Primary Industries Minister David Carter is expected to leave Cabinet to take on the Speaker's role.
However, Dann added that it is unlikely that the former Environment Minister will get his old role back, with Amy Adams now making it her own.
"She is someone who is really starting to move up the ranks in terms of confidence," said Key.
On Saturday, Smith revealed his hopes for a return to Cabinet.
"Anybody involved in politics knows that the real action occurs in the Cabinet room, and I can do best for Nelson, and in terms of my areas of expertise, by being in the Cabinet," he said.
Busy start
The Prime Minister's trip to Antarctica marks a busy start to the political year. Following tomorrow's reshuffle, Cabinet will convene for their first meeting of the year on Wednesday.
Key is the likely to attend the annual Ratana celebrations before delivering a State of the Nation speech on Friday.
Corin Dann said Key's speech will serve as a warning to the public that the Government is intent on action and is prepared to ruffle feathers.
"We are going to have a sense of urgency about some of the things we are doing. We are putting people, including our political opponents, that the Government has to move and act this year," Key said today.
Also high on the agenda will is the possibility of a Convention Centre in Auckland, the floating of the State Owned energy companies, RMA reform and water reform.
Labour also has a busy start to the year with leader David Shearer due also due to attend Ratana, before holding a caucus to confirm his leadership just prior to Waitangi Day.
It is expected that he will easily win the leadership vote,
which is required under Labour's new constitution.