Hobbs' booboo trips up PM on Dyson's comeback

By FRANCESCA MOLD political reporter

Boo-boo strikes again.

A slip by Marian Hobbs, the minister nicknamed Boo-boo the fifth Teletubby when she began her parliamentary career with a series of embarrassing gaffes, yesterday forced Helen Clark to bring forward the announcement of Labour MP Ruth Dyson's return to the ministerial fold.

But in the hurry to clean up the mistake, the Prime Minister's office said Ms Dyson was being re-appointed to the cabinet when she is a minister outside the cabinet.

A spokesman for Helen Clark later confirmed Ms Dyson would remain outside the cabinet.

Ms Hobbs accidentally revealed in her weekly media diary the plan to hold a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday for Ms Dyson, who resigned as a minister after being caught drink-driving.

The Prime Minister had planned to release details of the ceremony tomorrow, but issued a statement after it was discovered the secret had slipped out early.

Ms Dyson said yesterday she was pleased by the decision to reinstate her and was enthusiastic about getting back to work as a minister.

Asked how she felt about getting her driver's licence back on Monday after a six-month suspension, she said: "Monday's a public holiday so I'll wait till Tuesday."

Ms Dyson was convicted of drink-driving after a breath test last October found she was almost double the legal limit. She was fined $600.

Her resignation as Minister for Disability Issues and associate roles in accident insurance, health, social services and employment also cost her a large chunk of her $149,000 ministerial salary.

Helen Clark yesterday congratulated Ms Dyson on her reappointment.

"She has already shown her considerable talents as a minister outside cabinet, and I am confident she will continue to make an important contribution to the work of the Coalition Government."

Another cabinet change to be made on Tuesday will appoint Attorney-General Margaret Wilson as Minister Responsible for the Law Commission, a position that previously came under the justice portfolio.