New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Appoints Openly Gay Deputy
Following her recent win in the New Zealand election, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has appointed an openly gay man as her Deputy, ABC reports.
Grant Robertson, who will remain Finance Minister, was named Deputy by Prime Minister Arden when she unveiled her new cabinet, which includes a number of Indigenous Maori lawmakers.
On his appointment, Robertson said he will be a minister for all New Zealanders, but hoped it would help others in the LGBTIQ community to identify with those in top roles.
“I still get a lot of emails and messages from young gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who look towards us to provide that kind of role-modelling,” Mr Robertson said.
“So, I’ll keep doing my job the way that I’ve been doing it, but I’m very proud to have the role,” Robertson said.
The Deputy is a long-time close friend and ally of Ardern and takes over from Winston Peters who failed to be re-elected.
Robertson joins other openly gay political leaders including Ireland’s Leo Varadkar, Ana Brnabic (Serbia), and Xavier Bettel (Luxembourg).
