Josh Frydenberg, Australia’s first Jewish Treasurer, admits Australians would be disappointed with spill antics
FAMILY means everything to Josh Frydenberg, and the nation’s Treasurer says he is ready to ensure all families have the opportunities he has embraced.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FAMILY means everything to Josh Frydenberg, and the nation’s Treasurer says he is ready to ensure all families have the opportunities he has embraced.
Mr Frydenberg, whose mother escaped the Holocaust as a child, in an exclusive interview said his background proves “in Australia, anything is possible”.
And one of his first duties will be to encourage more conservative women into office.
“There are no glass ceilings … But my personal story is no different to many others who came here,” he said.
MORRISON’S FIRST JOB IS RESTOCKING THE CABINET
SCOMO: THE MAN WHO KEPT DUTTON OUT OF TOP CHAIR
GREAT SCOTT: FOOTY, FAITH AND A FAIR GO
Australia’s first Jewish Treasurer said he was excited to take over the chief economic portfolio where “there is even more scope to have an impact on the legacy we leave for future generations”.
The father of two spent yesterday with wife Amie, figuring out “getting the balance right” between family and politics as he took over one of the nation’s toughest jobs.
“Having kids changed my perspective; it’s all about the future,” he said.
After an ugly week of brawling over the Liberal leadership, Mr Frydenberg said Australians would rightly be “very disappointed” with how the government had behaved.
But he said he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison had started the internal “healing” process and wanted to restore voters’ confidence.
“I think they will be looking to this new team for a new start,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“We all have to remember that our masters are the Australian people, and the Australian people want us to unite and provide strong government.”
He caught up for a coffee yesterday with Peter Costello, another role model who was the last deputy Liberal leader from Victoria, as well as one of the party’s greatest treasurers.
HOW DUTTON BACKERS GOT IT BADLY WRONG
“If I can be half as funny in the Parliament as he was, that would be great,” Mr Frydenberg said.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull privately described Mr Frydenberg as an “Energiser bunny”, and colleagues say he is a tireless worker and a strong media performer.
The 47-year-old, a prodigious networker, received more than 1500 congratulatory text messages in the 24 hours after Friday’s leadership spill, including from close friends he has kept since kindergarten.
Mr Frydenberg praised the “positive and powerful story” of the Turnbull government, but said he was ready to make improvements, starting with promoting more Liberal women.
“I want to be a champion for more female representation in the parliamentary party, in safe seats and at the top table,” he said.