I retired from personal blogging in July 2008.
But you can find me over at http://blog.xero.com.
Sunday Star Times in the weekend speculated that Communications Minister David Cunliffe might vacate the role this year, possibly with Shane Jones coming in.
Telecom CEO might not be the only new face
That would be a shame. Cunliffe has been a good Communications Minister so far. He has actually gone out and communicated, forming relationships between all the major players and stake holders. He has been very generous with his time and provided fantastic support for industry events. It is a technical and complicated industry that takes some time to get your head around and he’s managed to do that.
The article suggests he may go onto a more senior role. I would have thought the Communication’s portfolio was one of the most important for New Zealand’s economic development. Here is an area that we can actually make a difference. And we are at a time when the industry foundations are shifting and serious investment issues.
Looks like Shane Jones is hankering for the job (Cunliffe fends off friendly fire). Jones seems happy to wade into the issues but it would be frustrating for the industry to start again building the relationship and go through the education process with the new guy and possibly again with a change of Government.
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I like the sound of the last 3 words :-)
I think Cunliffe has some other more Senior roles in mind - but he is still a much better Communications Minister than that National party guy.
If the Telco companies are sandbagging their investments that wouldn’t be too unusual this close to an election.
There will be plenty of positioning going on in all quarters. That old saying success has many fathers comes to mind. There is no doubt Labour understands MMP much better than the nats but election fatigue has set in.
Watch the Grey Lynn tribe - when they start talking about a change of government then Cunliffe should be happy to be sidelined if that happens.
This is something Shane should also be thinking about.
I too would hate to see Cunliffe go.
He’s a super smart operator with a business background- both attributes that are scarcely lacking among parliamentarians in general.
Jones is just yet another Labour bovver boy.