New ministers show off eagerness

New ministers Damien O'Connor, left, David Parker and Clayton Cosgrove before their first Cabinet meeting at the Beehive yesterday. Picture / Mark Mitchell

New Cabinet ministers David Parker and Clayton Cosgrove showed their eagerness to get into their new jobs by being the first to arrive at Cabinet yesterday.

Another newcomer, Damien O'Connor, arrived soon after.

Prime Minister Helen Clark described the session as a "general induction" of the Cabinet.

Name plates dictated the seating arrangements. Only the Prime Minister did not have a name plate but her higher-backed chair gave away her position at the Cabinet table.

"Oh, we've all changed places," said Conservation Minister Chris Carter as he arrived.

The new, lowest-ranked, ministers were seated directly opposite the Prime Minister.

This led Defence Minister Phil Goff, a senior member of Cabinet, to pass on some helpful remarks to David Cunliffe, a first-timer.

Sitting furthermost away from Helen Clark is apparently perfect for eye-balling and shouting at her across the room - guaranteed to get her attention.

- NZPA