Comment: Woodhouse case strong for health

The chances for Dunedin list MP Michael Woodhouse to be made health minister on Sunday became much stronger yesterday.

Michael Woodhouse.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced he would not stand again in the 2017 election.

"In light of the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, I want to be clear that I will not be a nominee for the National Party list. I have made the Prime Minister [Bill English] and other senior colleagues aware of this position."

Mr English is due to announce his cabinet reshuffle some time on Sunday, probably early afternoon. Having Mr McCully announce his plans will give Mr English a chance to revamp the foreign affairs role. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman, also a challenger to Mr English during the recent and fast prime minister selection, has made it clear he wants the foreign affairs portfolio. Mr English may be tempted to oblige to ensure Dr Coleman is out of the country for much of the time and unable to undermine him.

That would free up Mr Woodhouse to move from the immigration and revenue portfolios to health.

Mr Woodhouse was the chief executive of Mercy Hospital in Dunedin for seven years between 2001 and 2008, when he was first elected to Parliament. In 2005, he earned a master of health degree from the University of New South Wales. Previously, he had worked as an accountant and for ACC.

National Party MPs contacted by the Otago Daily Times thought highly of Mr Woodhouse’s ability to manage difficult areas of his portfolio and supported him for health minister. However, they all said no-one yet knew who would be the winners and losers from the portfolio reshuffle.

Mr McCully did not say whether he would stay until the 2017 election but the ODT was told Mr McCully would stay in Parliament until it was no longer necessary to hold a by-election.

A by-election will be held early next year in Mt Albert, a seat held by Labour, to replace David Shearer. The most likely Labour candidate is Jacinda Ardern. Melissa Lee has been confirmed as National’s candidate for the 2017 election and is likely to stand in the by-election.

The trickle of National Party MPs leaving Parliament has turned into a flood following the retirement of former prime minister John Key.

Small Business Minister and Tukituki MP Craig Foss has announced his retirement, despite already being selected for the seat. Fellow cabinet minister Sam Lotu-liga announced his retirement earlier.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced she is not seeking re-election, along with Maurice Williamson, Chester Burrows and one-term MP Jono Naylor. Another MP being talked about for retirement is Minister for Women Louise Upston but she had not yet made an announcement.

Mr English will now be deciding what to do with some vocal backbench MPs wanting promotion, along with the role Canterbury Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee will play in the new line-up. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce will become finance minister on Sunday and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges is seeking a promotion.

Whether outspoken Police Minister Judith Collins is part of Mr English’s plans is unknown. She will make life difficult for the prime minister if she is demoted.

Further down the pecking order, Chris Bishop, Nuk Korako, Mark Mitchell, Todd Muller and Alfred Ngaro are ones to watch for promotion.