If National wins ...

[fungus pudding]

I don't believe anyone can prove exactly how old the earth is, and someone believing in creation is not a problem per se.

But believing that the Bible is literally true and that the earth is only thousands of years old is (for me) a disqualification for high public office, because it involves a denial of rationality.

Who believes that?

[davflaws]

Who believes that?

Not Luxon (I hope) - but this aspect of the discussion cropped up when someone suggested JT should have asked him how old he believed the earth is.

[iceman]

It will be interesting to see the "shadow cabinet" when announced by Luxon soon, in particular his front bench. I hope that, in addition to himself, Willis (Housing) & Bridges (Finance/Infrastructure), the front bench will also have Mark Mitchell (Defence ?), Erica Stanford (Immigration/Social welfare ?), Chris Bishop (Covid/Leader of the House?), Shane Reti (Health), Simeon Brown (Police/Corrections ?), Louise Upston (Education ?), Chris Penk (Justice ?), Nicola Grigg (Agriculture or trade ?), Andrew Bayly (Business/Revenue?)

Anyway, just speculation from me. It will be paramount that Luxon does this well and gets a united and powerful team behind him to really start attacking the many weak Ministers in the Government. They are very vulnerable to prolonged & well delivered attacks.
I even question whether he should give Collins (well experienced attack dog) a portfolio against a weak Minister such as Poto Williams, but Simeon Brown has been doing well there so is probably a better choice. Muller should be assigned to the backbenches and leave at the end of this term or earlier.

[winner69]

Those who don't get a portfolio of sorts will be a lonely lot methinks ...espif not on talking terms with Muller and Collins

[iceman]

A pretty good lineup, even though I had preferred a few different changes. What I am reading from this is:

Look forward to Ministerial roles (apart from the obvious):
Doocey, Brown, Kuriger, van de Molen, Penk, Grigg, Mooney, Simmonds, Watts

DCM:
Collins, Mcclay, Bennett, Woodhouse & maybe even Bayly. Don't understand what's happening with Muller. I reckon Mark Mitchell may now seriously consider running for the Auckland Mayoralty after what I find a surprisingly low ranking (14)

[Panda-NZ-]

Those who don't get a portfolio of sorts will be a lonely lot methinks ...espif not on talking terms with Muller and Collins

They are their own opposition.

Judith will probably want more to be asking questions of bridges.

[iceman]

They are their own opposition.

Judith will probably want more to be asking questions of bridges.

Too funny for an obviously paid Labour keyboard warrior. You are clearly shaking in your boots now that a credible opposition may be arising, easily exposing your Dear Leader's failings on every issue possible

[Panda-NZ-]

Too funny for an obviously paid Labour keyboard warrior. You are clearly shaking in your boots now that a credible opposition may be arising, easily exposing your Dear Leader's failings on every issue possible

NZ has heard it all before though. Maybe the 5th times the charm and they will present a united front.

[justakiwi]

They have a long row to hoe before they can be considered "credible opposition." Regardless of whether one supports the current government or not.

Too funny for an obviously paid Labour keyboard warrior. You are clearly shaking in your boots now that a credible opposition may be arising, easily exposing your Dear Leader's failings on every issue possible

[fungus pudding]

They have a long road to hoe before they can be considered "credible opposition." Regardless of whether one supports the current government or not.

Are they really going to hoe a road?