Foreign Minister post could be up for grabs

Phil Goff may be serving his last few weeks in the coveted job of Foreign Minister - even if Labour is returned to Government after the election.

United Future leader Peter Dunne is known to have his eye on the post should his party go into coalition with Labour.

And it is understood National has earmarked the job for New Zealand First leader Winston Peters if it forms a Government with him.

New Zealand First MPs in May sounded out National about the possibility of Mr Peters being co-Prime Minister with National leader Don Brash. But National considers foreign minister more fitting.

It would be of high enough stature, along with the title of Deputy Prime Minister, and take him out of the country a lot.

Mr Dunne's party at present supports the Government on confidence and supply issues. He is chairman of the foreign affairs and defence select committee, an appointment which led to the appointment of former Labour MP Graham Kelly as High Commissioner to Canada.

Prime Minister Helen Clark was not dismissive this week of the suggestion of having Mr Dunne as Foreign Affairs minister.

She pointed out that there was a precedent for it. "Certainly one can say without prejudice that Peter Dunne has done a very good job chairing the foreign affairs and defence select committee and of course there are precedents offshore as in the German Government right now where the leader of the minor party in the coalition [Green MP Joschka Fischer] takes that role."

Mr Goff could take the portfolio of police from George Hawkins or might use his foreign affairs skills in a portfolio like defence.

Mr Dunne would be able to negotiate the post if his party holds the balance of power but on present polling, that is looking unlikely. Mr Peters is looking more likely to hold the balance of power and according to DigiPoll polls, he could determine whether National or Labour govern.

Asked about the possibility of Mr Peters being Foreign Minister in a Government with Labour, Helen Clark said she had never detected Mr Peters having ever had any general interest in it - "which is not a criticism".

" ... Winston has never taken any great interest in foreign policy so that one looks a bit more remote."

Dr Brash did not want to comment on coalition prospects or cabinet allocations. Nor did Mr Peters or Mr Dunne.