Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffle launches three politicians from backbench obscurity to Cabinet
CHRISTIAN Porter has replaced George Brandis as Attorney-General, Michealia Cash is in charge of a jobs-creating super-ministry, and three politicians have made the leap from backbench obscurity to cabinet as part of Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffle.
NSW
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CHRISTIAN Porter has replaced George Brandis as Attorney-General, Michealia Cash is in charge of a jobs-creating super-ministry, and three politicians have made the leap from backbench obscurity to cabinet as part of Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffle.
The Prime Minister has shaped his cabinet around the government’s agenda for 2018 of creating jobs and national security, with the super ministries of Home Affairs and Jobs and Innovation taking centrestage in a long-awaited reshuffle announced yesterday.
Mr Turnbull finally confirmed news revealed by The Daily Telegraph that George Brandis would be leaving politics to take up the role of UK High Commissioner when Alexander Downer leaves in late January, with Mr Porter, a former Western Australian Attorney-General, replacing him.
The announcement saw five new faces in cabinet — Nationals Deputy Leader, Bridget McKenzie, who takes the Sport, Rural Health and Regional Communications role, Michael Keenan, who moves into Human Services, Dan Tehan in Social Services, John McVeigh in Regional Development, and Nationals MP David Littleproud taking over the Agriculture and Water portfolio.
Ms McKenzie, Mr Littleproud and Mr McVeigh made a much-envied jump from the backbench straight to cabinet.
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Mr McVeigh’s elevation came from his status as a moderate-faction Queenslander, with Senator Brandis’ exit meaning a replacement from the state was needed.
Mr Littleproud is considered a talented star who has proven his loyalty to Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce, while Ms McKenzie, as deputy leader, is entitled to a cabinet spot.
Former infrastructure minister Darren Chester was dumped from cabinet with senior Nationals saying he had made little impact in Infrastructure, which Mr Joyce has taken over.
Mr Chester was offered a more junior assistant ministry but turned it down. It was given to his colleague Damian Drum.
So lacklustre was Mr Chester’s performance that Paul Fletcher had already taken charge of the key infrastructure projects, most notably Badgerys Creek airport.
Senior Nationals sources said there was also frustration he had not made an effort to help campaign aggressively in marginal seats during the last federal election.
In the national security portfolio of Home Affairs, Peter Dutton will head a team that includes Alan Tudge as Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs minister and Angus Taylor who enters the ministry in the portfolio of Law Enforcement and Cyber Security.
Also entering the ministry is former publican Craig Laundy, whose brother Stuart won Sophie Monk’s heart on The Bachelorette, in the role of Small and Family Business and Workplace Relations.
Mr Laundy will report to Ms Cash, who loses workplace relations from her portfolio, a move she had been eager to make after damaging scandals including an active Federal Police investigation into a leak from her office. She instead becomes the Minister for Jobs and Innovation.
Mr Turnbull said he hoped former minister Arthur Sinodinos, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, will return to cabinet next year.
“The new ministry I’m announcing today reflects the priorities of my government; growing the economy, creating jobs, keeping Australians safe,” Mr Turnbull said.
The ministries of Health, Education, Treasury and Defence remained unchanged.