Queensland in line for win after Cormann pulls the pin

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann’s departure from politics has put Queensland’s Peter Dutton in line for a promotion in the federal ministry – and he’s likely to take one of two powerful positions.

QUEENSLAND’S most senior federal minister Peter Dutton is in line for a promotion as the Coalition Government is forced into a reshuffle for the retirement of Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.

Mr Dutton could soon be in charge of the nation’s armed forces, or its purse strings, with his name being talked about for Defence or even Finance after six years guarding the borders.

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But the retirement of Senator Cormann, known as “the crossbench whisperer”, is set to cause problems for the Government, with Queensland powerbroker Senator Pauline Hanson raising strong concerns about working with his heir apparent.

Mathias Cormann (left) has announced his retirement from politics, while Peter Dutton’s (right) name has been suggested as an outside chance to take on the Finance portfolio.

There will be a push from Queensland MPs to get more representation in Cabinet – including a spot in the powerful budget Razor Gang, the expenditure review committee.

It comes as Labor scrambles after a shock three per cent swing against its primary vote at the Eden-Monaro by-election, despite claiming a narrow victory yesterday.

Senior Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon used the event to stress the importance of the party pitching for the centre and backing blue-collar and coal jobs.

There won’t be a reshuffle until the end of the year, as Senator Cormann indicated he will not be going until December.

But speculation is already firing after the long-expected announcement was made public yesterday.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham is the early favourite to replace Senator Cormann as Finance Minister and government leader in the Senate.

But there is also talk Social Services Minister Anne Ruston could be in line for the Senate job.

While Mr Dutton, who has been Home Affairs Minister since December 2017 and Immigration and Border for three years before that, is considered more likely to get the Defence portfolio there is some talk of an outside chance of the Finance gig.

There is a push from the LNP politicians to get a Queenslander back on the expenditure review committee, to ensure a heavy-hitter was in the room given the state’s economic importance.

Mr Dutton has previously served on the committee.

Senator Hanson said she would ask Senator Cormann to reconsider his exit, describing him as a “competent and capable Minister” and good to work with.

“It concerns me who’s going to take his position,” she said.

Mathias Cormann announces his retirement yesterday. Picture: Tony McDonough

She said she did not think Senator Birmingham was right for the job and instead backed Senator Ruston.

“Another very excellent performing Minister is Anne Ruston. What ever Anne’s taken on, she’s done an excellent job,” Senator Hanson said.

“In the role of working with Ministers, the relationship has to be based on trust, reliability and communication with them, that they won’t tell you one story and do another.”

Mr Dutton said Senator Cormann had been a “great and loyal mate” and one of the government’s strongest performers.

“Our budget is strong and able to cope with the shock of COVID because of many decisions taken by Mathias and his Expenditure Review Committee colleagues,” he said.