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The dust has settled on the changes at the top, visibly, at least, and our new Premier has picked his Cabinet.

It's always tempting to second-guess the actions of others, so this week I'll take my turn in reviewing Dr. Brown's Cabinet choices.

First, the easy ones. It was predictable that Dr. Brown would retain Tourism and Transport, as it was that Ms Cox would stay in the Finance seat. Though I was surprised at the time that Mr. Burgess had been given the Immigration post, it was not so surprising that he was kept there.

The biggest surprise for me was the retention of David Burch in the Cabinet. I can appreciate that he is the most likely to quickly make progress on the Housing front and his appointment does provide some experience and seniority in the Senate.

The inclusion of Public Safety in his portfolio is exciting: Housing and crime are two areas where the PLP government's delivery of service has not impressed the people. No matter how roughshod he rides over questioners and challengers, Mr. Burch does have the thickest skin and a reputation for getting the job done.

Sporting choice

Mr. Horton will be comfortable with Sport and Recreation, though I wonder if he has new ideas enough to make a dent in the problems plaguing education.

Mr. Bascome has perhaps spent enough time on the backbench to want to make a lasting and positive mark in his return to the Health portfolio.

The most curious appointment is that of Dale Butler to a newly named Ministry, that of Social Rehabilitation. We will have to find out just what this really means. Minister Butler will also have to find out where his office is to be located and what human resources will be available to him. Some of us remember that the Permanent Secretary at his last portfolio was re-assigned to another post leaving Mr. Butler without a key staff person for more than a year.

Ms. Butterfield's return to the Environment Ministry is no doubt welcomed by most. Despite a few questionable decisions, she dived into that portfolio and became a fair champion for environmental issues. I'm sure the staff welcomes her back. The tacking on of Telecommunications and E-Commerce seems incongruous to me - I wouldn't be surprised to see those tasks re-assigned soon.

Dennis Lister's return to the Cabinet intrigues me. I had thought he was heading into the twilight of his Parliamentary career when he was separated from the Environment Ministry several years ago. One can reasonably hope that he will bring an enhanced environmental sensitivity to the Works Ministry.

Mr. Perinchief's former Drugs Ministry has vanished, absorbed I suppose into the concept of Social Rehabilitation. Mr. Perinchief, as the so-called Drugs Czar, didn't have much time to get meaningful initiatives off the ground. He will be hard pressed to keep up the pace Mr. Butler brought to Community and Cultural Affairs.

Two of Dr. Brown's new appointments to the Senate are known to me. We all have heard about Mr. Caines in his role as Crown Counsel, and his concern for and engagement in his community is well known. I worked for a short time with Miss Morris on youth issues and am personally aware of her energy and focus. It is unfortunate that the parties continue to use the Senate more as a training ground for politicians rather than a forum for distinguished and sober debate.

If Dr. Brown's Cabinet and Senate selections are any indication, we're in for an interesting run-up to the next election.

An aside: I for one am grateful for this aspect of the Westminster System that it allows for such dramatic changes at the top without things falling apart.[[In-content Ad]]

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