Simmonds: 'The workload has been heavy'
Penny Simmonds has been replaced by Social Development Minister Louise Upston who has now picked up the Disability Issues portfolio.
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds has been stripped of her Disability Issues portfolio following headlines over the handling of changes to disability-related funding.
As part of a cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Wednesday he had removed Simmonds.
She has been replaced by Social Development Minister Louise Upston who has now picked up the Disability Issues portfolio.
“We have discovered major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People,” Luxon said about the decision to make a change in the Disability Issues portfolio.
Simmonds is a minister outside of Cabinet and will remain as Environment Minister and Tertiary education and skills Minister.
Simmonds said she was supportive of the changes.
“I’m looking forward to having more time to concentrate on the Tertiary Education and Skills, Environment and Associate Social Development and Employment portfolios - and to continue working hard for the people of the Invercargill electorate.
“I admit that the workload has been heavy. I am pleased that I can now focus on the disestablishment of Te Pukenga, the Higher Education review and proceed with work around protecting and improving our environment.
“I have the full support of Prime Minister Chris Luxon going forward and I am looking forward to working hard for him, the coalition Government and the Invercargill electorate - as we get our country back on track.”