Judith Collins reinstated following National Party reshuffle

Collins was reinstated as both Corrections Minister and Police Minister by Prime Minister John Key at his Cabinet reshuffle yesterday afternoon.

However, an official inquiry later cleared her of involvement in the allegations.

Green MP David Clendon points out that it was Collins who awarded Serco the contract for Mt Eden five years ago, claiming it would bring new ideas and global best practice.

Collins’ husband is a director of the exporting company and she was heavily criticised for meeting representatives of Oravida while on a visit to China.

Ms Collins told Morning Report today that she had learned a few lessons in the time away from portfolios.

Key said Bennett, who will relinquish the local government portfolio, was chosen for the climate change portfolio because the 2016 emissions trading scheme review required a politician with “good political nous” and “dexterity”.

Ms Collins said the private company Serco was doing a good job of running the south Auckland prison, so she needed to find out what was different at Mt Eden.

She said she wanted to be briefed and appraised of the facts before making further comment on Serco’s performance. “She’s got a strong view on some issues but she’s always had a strong view, but by the way, so do the other ministers”.

Prime Minister John Key said Ms Collins had earned her place back at the table after learning from her experiences.

The private prison operator has come under extra scrutiny since ONE News broke the story of alleged “fight clubs” being operated in the prison.

Labour leader Andrew Little was critical of Collins’ return saying she had never taken responsibility for her conduct over the Oravida issue.

Before entering Parliament in 2005, Groser had been New Zealand’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Ambassador to Indonesia.

Todd McClay takes on Tim Groser’s trade portfolio, but hands over the revenue portfolio to Michael Woodhouse. As a list MP, he will be replaced by the next candidate on the National Party list, Maureen Pugh.

The current associate climate change minister, Simon Bridges, is also Minister of Energy and Transport and Cabinet Office advice was that there would be conflicts of interest if Bridges took on full responsibility for climate change policy.

“It is very apt”, she said through a large smile.