street-wise cabinet minister builds government image

The government’s ‘tough guys’ image seen in John Key’s handshaking with a broken hand of 120 rugby league players (see yesterday’s post) has been boosted by social development minister Paula Bennett’s successful intervention recently in a teenaged girls’ street brawl.

Whether this impromptu ‘street-wise’ branding will serve them well going forward remains to be seen.  But it’s certainly a positive look in what it says about the minister as a person and perhaps a signpost towards the government’s intentions towards its proposed ‘boot camp’ youth policies.