Peter Dutton, Stuart Robert mentioned for new portfolios

There is speculation Peter Dutton is up for a new gig in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, with another Queenslander mentioned for the Home Affairs portfolio.

Businesses will have more confidence to hire casuals, who have copped the brunt of the recession job losses, under a proposed shake up of industrial laws intended to prevent controversial “double dipping” payments.

The contentious bill will dominate the final week of Parliament, which is already set for Cabinet reshuffle speculation and Nationals leadership ructions.

Among the speculation is potential for new roles for senior Queensland-based Ministers Peter Dutton and Stuart Robert, as well as the rise of another Queenslander to the front benches, but there will be no reshuffle this week.

There is speculation Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton could be moving to the Defence portfolio. Picture: Josh Woning

Rebel LNP MP Llew O’Brien’s return to the National’s party room today has also set tongues wagging over whether there is a renewed threat to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack’s leadership, but it is understood there is nothing imminent.

New industrial relations laws are set to create a new definition of what casual employment is and require businesses to offer permanent employment to casual workers after a year if their roster has been consistent for the past six months.

They will also seek to head off a controversial Federal court decision which would see employers forced to backdate sick leave and annual leave entitlements to casual workers deemed to be full or part time, on top of their already paid 25 per cent loading.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the Bill, which will go to Parliament on Wednesday, followed a series of roundtables with business groups and unions.

“With so many Australians still out of work, or doing fewer hours as a result of the pandemic, we cannot do nothing when we have a situation where employers are delaying making hiring decisions because of ongoing confusion about the legal status of casual employment,” he said.

Attorney-General Christian Porter says new IR laws will give businesses more confidence to hire workers. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Meanwhile, there is continued speculation the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton could go to Defence in the reshuffle later this month, with Government Services Minister Stuart Robert potentially taking Home Affairs.

But others have suggested Mr Robert’s solid performance in Government Services and it’s continued complex role in the recession recovery he may remain in his current gig.

Queensland Senator Amanda Stoker’s name has also been mentioned as a possible new addition to the frontbench.

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said he worked with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to stay in the government with the LNP after he left the Nationals party room, but the country party’s deputy leader brought him back to the fold.

“David Littleproud over an extended period of time has shown true leadership to make me feel comfortable to come back,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I’m looking forward to get into policy development for regional Australia, which has some of the most disadvantaged parts of the country. That’s why I’m here.”