PM Malcolm Turnbull tipped to put Sussan Ley back in Cabinet in reshuffle

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull is understood to be considering returning Sussan Ley to Cabinet while Attorney-General George Brandis is expected leave the Senate in a likely reshuffle this week.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, pictured with newly elected Liberal member for Bennelong, John Alexander, is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet this week. Picture: Paul Braven

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull is understood to be considering returning Sussan Ley to Cabinet, while Craig Laundy and Dan Tehan are also in line for promotions in a likely reshuffle this week.

News of the reshuffle comes as Mr Turnbull ends the year as he began it, with the Coalition­ trailing Labor on a two party preferred vote of 53 per cent to 47 per cent in the year’s last Newspoll.

The latest results shows the major parties have not shifted since the last poll was conducted in the lead-up to the final week of parliament.

Former Australian Health Minister Sussan Ley could be moved back into the Cabinet. Picture: Lukas Coch

It comes as the Daily Telegraph revealed Attorney-General George Brandis is set to leave the Senate in the expected reshuffle — likely tomorrow or Wednesday — despite earlier resisting moves to appoint him High Commissioner to the UK.

Senator Brandis’s departure would create room for the promotion of one of his colleagues to the role, with sources familiar with discussions naming Christian Porter and Michaelia Cash as possible replacements and Marise Payne as an outside and unlikely chance.

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Ms Ley — who resigned a year ago amid a scandal involving her purchase of a property on the Gold Coast while on a taxpayer-funded work trip — is also in the mix for a return to Cabinet. Those supporting her return say she was a competent Cabinet minister has been exonerated of any wrongdoing and would help Mr Turnbull boost the number of women in his Cabinet team.

Craig Laundy has been loyal and performed well. Picture: Christian Gilles

Dan Tehan could be up for a promotion. Picture: Lukas Coch

Senator Brandis met Mr Turnbull last week in Sydney to discuss his future, which could have him replace Alexander Downer in London early next year.

Options for promotion include former human services minister Stuart Roberts, whose return is backed by Treasurer Scott Morrison, and John McVeigh, who was a Cabinet minister in the former Queensland Newman government, Assistant Skills Minister Karen Andrews and James McGrath.

George Brandis is set to leave the Senate in the expected reshuffle. Picture Kym Smith

Mr Laundy and Mr Tehan, a former Abbott supporter, are also both in line for a promotion, with Mr Turnbull understood to be happy with their performance and loyalty throughout the past 18 months.