Bishop tipped to stay in post as Morrison seeks to punish rivals but promote harmony

JULIE Bishop is considering staying on as Foreign Minister in Scott Morrison’s new cabinet as the Prime Minister tries to reunite his broken party.

JULIE Bishop is considering staying on as Foreign Minister in Scott Morrison’s new cabinet as the Prime Minister tries to reunite his broken party.

But junior ministers who plotted against Malcolm Turnbull including Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, James McGrath and Alan Tudge have been warned they will be punished for plotting by exclusion from the ministry.

But the man who failed in his coup attempt, Peter Dutton, will remain on the frontbench and yesterday pledged his support to Mr Morrison.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop arrives at Perth Airport. Picture: Richard Hatherly

PM Scott Morrison meets the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, at Parliament House. Picture Jonathan Ng

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“I’m determined to do whatever we can to win the next election,” Mr Dutton said.

“I believe we are in a stronger position to win the election with Scott Morrison as Prime Minister. I have pledged my loyalty completely to Scott and to the new government … Scott will better connect with Queenslanders.

“He is a man of integrity, he has a good story to tell, he’s down to earth and Queenslanders will relate to him,” Mr Dutton said.

One of Mr Morrison’s foot-soldiers, Stuart Robert, is also expected to be rewarded for his loyalty with an elevation to the frontbench. The Queensland MP was dumped from the Turnbull ministry in 2016 over a pecuniary interest controversy.

Minister for Small Business Craig Laundy, Minister for Cyber Security Angus Taylor, Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt, Minister for Citizenship Alan Tudge and Minister for Veterans Affairs Darren Chester during Question Time last week. The next cabinet should have quite a different look as Scott Morrison tries to make factions work together.

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

Alan Tudge. Picture: Rohan Thomson

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash is also under threat after she voted to bring on the spill.

Senior Liberal MPs have urged Mr Morrison not to make too many drastic changes in an effort to keep peace.

“I don’t think there will be any wholesale changes,” one senior Liberal said. “For every person you promote you piss off two people.”

Defence Minister and Turnbull ally Marise Payne may struggle to hold her portfolio and former PM Tony Abbott will stay a backbencher.

Beaten leadership candidate Peter Dutton watches his son play rugby in Brisbane on Saturday.

Protestors outside Peter Dutton’s electorate office on Saturday. Picture: Mark Cranitch

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More women are likely to enter the ministry, including WA Liberals Melissa Price and Linda Reynolds.

Social Services Minister Dan Tehan and Health Minister Greg Hunt want to stay in their roles.

But some of Mr Hunt’s colleagues want to see him punished for “playing both sides” by backing Mr Dutton in the first spill.

Small Business minister Craig Laundy could be rewarded for his loyalty with an elevation to Cabinet.

National Party sources believe their will be no changes to their frontbench line up.

Deputy leader Josh Frydenberg will serve as Treasurer, freeing up the divisive energy and environment portfolio.

Backers supported Mr Frydenberg on the proviso he take a domestic role to spend more time in Australia and help heal the party.