The new leader of the opposition is hoping he'll rattle the government on housing by appointing Judith Collins as National's housing spokesperson.
Simon Bridges and Judith Collins Photo: RNZ
In his caucus reshuffle Simon Bridges gave big promotions to his rivals from National's leadership contest last month.
Mark Mitchell rocketed 14 places and onto the front bench and is now spokesperson for justice as well as defence and disarmament, while Amy Adams was given the key finance role last week.
Mr Bridges has also appointed Judith Collins as National's housing spokesperson - hoping to send a message to the government.
"Phil Twyford is on notice - Judith is coming," he said when revealing his reshuffle at Parliament yesterday.
Ms Collins specifically requested the housing portfolio, he said.
"Who could be better up against Phil Twyford?
"Phil Twyford is going to find tonight hard to sleep I think as he anticipates the challenge that he's going to have where there's been big talk but so far a pretty shambolic series of inactions," Mr Bridges said.
But Mr Twyford said he wasn't spooked.
"I'll be sleeping fine tonight but I'll tell you what I am doing and that's spending every waking minute trying to make sure that the people who are sleeping in doorways and cars actually get a bed to sleep in - and that's more than National did in nine years," Mr Twyford told RNZ.
Mr Twyford said housing was National's achilles' heel and questioned the MP, nicknamed Crusher Collins', suitability for the role.
"Well I think you need a builder not a crusher in the housing portfolio and if there's one thing that National should have learned over the last nine years it's that Kiwis want to see more compassion - they don't want to see kids growing up in cars and garages.
"But Judith Collins is the epitome really of the old-school hard-hearted Nat," Mr Twyford said.
Ms Collins said Labour spent nine years in opposition refusing to help the former National government make changes that would have helped address housing issues.
"So they really don't have clean hands on this so don't worry Phil you can sleep tonight or not - I don't care - I'm just going to do my job."
National's deputy leader Paula Bennett said eight of National's top 20 are women and the reshuffled line-up has a really nice mix.
"I think Simon in having Amy, Judith and I standing around him is pretty powerful I've got to say.
"That's a lot of experience, and a lot of intellect quite frankly that is there, and those are strong women."
Todd McClay, Paul Goldsmith and Jami-Lee Ross were all promoted in the caucus rankings while Gerry Brownlee, Nick Smith and Maggie Barry all fell.
