Groom MP Garth Hamilton not offered portfolio as opposition leader Sussan Ley announces reshuffled Coalition frontbench
Garth Hamilton will stay on the backbench for now after knocking back a party role offer from new opposition leader Sussan Ley. Here’s why.
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Toowoomba’s federal MP Garth Hamilton will remain a backbencher in federal parliament for the foreseeable future, after not being given a portfolio by new opposition leader Sussan Ley.
Mr Hamilton, who was returned to Canberra at the May 3 federal election after defeating highly-backed independent Suzie Holt, also passed up a junior party position with the view of being able to continue voicing his opinions.
It comes as Ms Ley unveiled her new shadow cabinet following the reunification of the Liberals and Nationals, following a split that lasted mere days.
In a statement, Mr Hamilton confirmed Ms Ley had offered him the junior role of Liberal whip in the lower house, an essential day-to-day position in Canberra to ensure party discipline, keep track of voting and manage other duties.
“I was offered a junior position from the leader of the opposition and I respectfully rejected it to keep the freedom of the backbench,” he said.
“I’ve led the national debate on a range of issues in the last term, from RBA board stacking to APRA’s capital requirements, net zero, divestiture powers and post and boast policies.
“I’m not giving that freedom up at a time when we desperately need policy debate within the Liberal Party.”
Mr Hamilton was contacted for further comment.
Ms Holt criticised Mr Hamilton’s position within the Coalition during the election campaign, arguing Groom needed a “crossbencher, not a backbencher”.
Ms Ley has appointed deputy leader Ted O’Brien to treasury, Senator James Paterson to finance and government services, Melissa McIntosh to communications and Angus Taylor to defence.
Senior Liberal Jane Hume has been dumped from the frontbench as one of the biggest casualties of the reshuffle.
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Originally published as Groom MP Garth Hamilton not offered portfolio as opposition leader Sussan Ley announces reshuffled Coalition frontbench
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