22 Feb 2012

Change possible in Steven Joyce's three portfolios

8:18 am on 22 February 2012

The country's science, tertiary education and economic development agencies could be in for some changes, as the Government tries to get them working more effectively.

Steven Joyce is the first minister to be put in charge of economic development, science and innovation and tertiary education at the same time.

Previously those portfolios have been held by different ministers.

Mr Joyce says there's a good reason for having all three portfolios held by one minister to ensure they work together rather than pulling in different directions.

He says once he's had a good look across all three areas structural change is a possibility.