Malcolm Turnbull set to announce crucial cabinet reshuffle — with several MP’s in line for promotions

MALCOLM Turnbull will today announce a crucial cabinet reshuffle, launching Peter Dutton’s Home Affairs super-ministry and sending George Brandis off to London as the Prime Minister refreshes his team to promote young talent.

MALCOLM Turnbull will today announce a crucial cabinet reshuffle, with rising star Christian Porter the new Attorney-General, replacing George Brandis who is off to London as UK High Commissioner in January.

In line for promotion today are Paul Fletcher, Dan Tehan, Craig Laundy and potentially Angus Taylor. Michael Keenan is expected to leave the Justice portfolio.

The Prime Minister has ruled out bringing back former health minister Sussan Ley, after discussing the matter with colleagues­.

With Mr Brandis leaving to accept the UK High Commissioner’s job, which he will take up in late January, the main options to replace him were Mr Porter or Michaelia Cash.

Paul Fletcher is one of the MP’s in line for a promotion. Picture: Adam Ward

Sources say Malcolm Turnbull has considered bringing back Sussan Ley. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Craig Laundy. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Dan Tehan. Picture: Ray Strange

Mr Turnbull is understood to have chosen Mr Porter, who is a former attorney-general in the WA State Parliament.

There had been hesitation about moving him into the role, with senior government sources pointing out he needs to focus on his marginal electorate, which he faces the real prospect of losing at the next federal election­.

The teams within the Defence, Treasury and Foreign Affairs portfolio are expected to stay in place. Speculation that Defence Minister Marise Payne is leaving her role is understood to be incorrect.

She will remain in Defence, with Christopher Pyne in Defence Industry, with the pair finding a good working relationship.

Today, Mr Turnbull will also launch the new Home Affairs super-ministry with Peter Dutton at the helm.

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Turnbull has spent the past week consulting with colleagues about potential moves. Picture: Kym Smith

There is tipped to be a new portfolio of Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship and potentially a new Digital, Cyber-affairs ministry.

In the Home Affairs super-ministry, Mr Dutton will have several ministers reporting to him, possibly Alex Hawke, Zed Seselja or Andrew Hastie.

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This cabinet reshuffle has been a year in the making yet Mr Turnbull has spent the past week consulting with colleagues about potential moves to form the team he plans to take to the 2019 federal election­.

Mr Turnbull is understood to have canvassed moving Simon Birmingham sideways out of the Education portfolio as a result of his constituency problem with the Catholic sector during the Gonski 2.0 education reforms, but this is now not expected to eventuate.

Michaelia Cash may be seen as too damaged by scandals. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

There has been hesitation to move Christian Porter into the Attorney-General role. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

The reshuffle has been fluid, even up until last night, with lists being redrawn and updated over and over again to secure the necessary factional and state quotas while promoting more women.

Women who have been raised in conversations for promotion include Melissa Price, Nicole Flint and Karen Andrews. Arthur Sinodinos’ spot is expected to be temporarily filled until he returns to full health.