We have a new Minister of Transport! That’s the good news from the cabinet reshuffle John Key carried out today. The bad news is that the new Minister is Gerry “sexy coal” Brownlee.
The Bad News
Pretty much my only experiences of working with (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say “against” Gerry) have been in his role as the Minister of Energy. In this role he has been a keen exponent for coal mining in the conservation estate, oil drilling, lignite (coal) to fertilizer plants, lignite to diesel plants, and generally any form of fossil fuel extraction.
This record does not make me hopeful that he will usher in a new era of progressive, low energy transport for NZ. I have never heard of Gerry riding a bicycle (or, indeed, taking a train or catching a bus).
Sustainable transport advocates don’t seem too stoked about it down in Christchurch either, where Gerry Brownlee has been criticized for having fairly old fashioned ideas about rebuilding the city which seem to focus on decentralization, motorways and sprawl.
He also has a somewhat patchy record when it comes to conducting a democratic and open government. In particular, he was deeply involved in developing CERA (the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act) which gave him huge and unprecedented powers to over-ride almost any NZ law. There have also been some accusations of cronyism.
The Good News
Having said that, to look on the bright side Gerry Brownlee is an experienced Cabinet Minister and he is generally considered to be fairly capable. While there have been many criticisms of the work he has done as the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister (a challenging and stressful job) nobody has suggested that he has completely stuffed it up through incompetence, lack of effort etc.
So he is unlikely to make major stuff ups in the Transport portfolio out of plain stupidity or lack of experience as new Ministers can sometimes do (not sure what I mean? Just think Tolley in Education last term).
I also don’t think he is quite as capable or good at spin as Steven Joyce – this might make him an easier target for the Opposition to pin stuff on and thus pressure National to change their unbalanced transport policies.
Finally, Gerry Brownlee will also remain in charge of Earthquake Recovery which is a large and challenging portfolio. This may be a good thing as it will make him less “hands on” and involved in the details of Transport at a national level. That could leave more space for progressive councils (such as Auckland and Wellington City) to push through the public transport, walking and cycling improvements they want.
On the other hand, it could be a bad thing as it means he will make no changes to the current Minister’s agenda but just focus on pushing it through at top speed. That means more motorways, more cars, and less money for cycling.
Only time will tell. What do you think? Are you pleased we have a new Minister? Will he be any better than Joyce?
* The image is a cartoon by Murray Webb taken from the Jackalman blog.
Gerry needs more bike.
I'm happy its not Joyce any more. But in reality, nothing will change. Nationals policy is clearly pro roads at the expense of everything else and this would continue regardless of who was transport minister.
I don't agree at all actually Frank. Who a Minister is and what their strengths and weaknesses and personal interests are can have a big impact on a portfolio, regardless of their Party's policies.
Do you think Brownlee has a personal interest in cycling?
At least Joyce could have physically ridden a bike if he'd wanted to.
I think he will be better for cycling and public transport than Joyce, but I dont think there will be a very big difference. I'm expecting more of the same.
I don’t think anything will change, Brownlee is a new face but the policies won’t change, he’s just there to buffer all the criticism of the policies.
I don't think the Minister for Demolishing Historic Christchurch is going to be more hopeful than Joyce, the opposite if anything
@ Frank. I agree that Brownlee won't be a great Minister. But what I was trying to say is that I think that, in general, it does make a difference who is the Minister of a particular area.
One thing you have to congratulate Gerry on is his service the the nations health. The other night, my eight year old son Ollie (and I swear this is not a lie) saw Gerry on the TV and said "is that what I will end up looking like if I go to McDonalds all the time?"
All I said was "yes son, thats right"
I actually agree about this. I think it will make him a less effective transport minister because his physique is like a terrible reminder of what happens to people who drive everywhere…
@Tom I wonder if Brownlee opts for super size?
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