Key's Cabinet gets a revamp

Prime Minister John Key anointed fast-rising ministers Paula Bennett, Jonathan Coleman, Amy Adams and Simon Bridges as his potential successors in a Cabinet reshuffle yesterday that adds fresh blood to his front bench.

The four are among Mr Key's top nine on the front bench. Former Social Development Minister Ms Bennett was an existing front-bencher but she moves along four places to take the No 5 spot with the State Services, Social Housing and Associate Finance portfolios and retains Local Government.

Dr Coleman takes Tony Ryall's Health portfolio and the No 6 place, Amy Adams is the new Justice Minister and is at No 7 and Mr Bridges takes Transport and the final spot on the front bench at No 9.

Finance Minister Bill English, Canterbury Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce keep their second, third and fourth spots on the front bench.

Mr Key said his decisions were influenced by the failure of the Helen Clark-led Labour Government to rejuvenate fast enough, "and actually to promote the next wave of senior ministers".

Earlier yesterday, the Prime Minister referred to those ministers he promoted as the "next generation, I think, of leadership".

Mr Key has indicated he intends staying on as PM and National Party leader for this term at least.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson holds his portfolio and his No 8 spot and picks up the Security Intelligence Service and Government Communications Security Bureau portfolios.

Although Ms Bennett said she was happy being in Cabinet for the time being, she did not rule out future leadership hopes.

"I think this kind of proves you never know what's just around the corner. If you'd asked me 20 years ago if I'd thought I'd be sitting on the front bench in a National-led Government, I'd have said no. So I don't know what the future holds. I just want to do the best I can now so that I've got options."

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Key's Cabinet gets a revamp