Paul Fletcher reflects on unsettling’ week in politics
FEDERAL Minister and Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher is keen to move on from Liberal leadership debacle with his new job in charge of Families and Social Services.
North Shore
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Last week Paul Fletcher was Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities in a Turnbull government. This week he is the Minister for Families and Social Services in a Morrison government.
Bradfield’s federal Liberal MP, who evidently played a key role in the final leadership battle which saw Scott Morrison become prime minister, admitted that the upheaval had been difficult for the party.
“Any change of this nature is unsettling,” he said.
Mr Fletcher voted against both spill motions but supported Scott Morrison in the final leadership ballot.
“The proposal to change our existing leadership team certainly came as a surprise to me and I voted against it at both of the Liberal Party room meetings held to consider the matter,” he said.
“But ultimately the leadership of the party is determined through a democratic process and once the party room made its decision for change, I was pleased to vote for two outstanding candidates, Scott Morrison as our leader and Josh Frydenberg as deputy.”
This change, he said, sees “the mantle of leadership pass to the next generation”.
“I am proud to have served for three years as a minister in the Turnbull Government,” he added.
“Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister and Julie Bishop as Deputy Leader and Foreign Minister gave outstanding service to the Liberal Party and to Australia. Now we have a strong new team.”
Leaked WhatsApp messages between Mr Fletcher and a group of MPs called the Friends of Stability sent before the final leadership vote pointed to his key strategic role in orchestrating votes away from Julie Bishop and towards Scott Morrison in the first round.
“Despite our hearts tugging us to Julie we need to vote with our heads for Scott in round one,” he wrote.
The new Minister for Families and Social Services declined to comment on the Whatsapp controversy describing as “unfortunate” the events of last week.
“Prime Minister Morrison sent a very clear message: ‘I am on your side and my Government is on your side’,” Mr Fletcher said. “I have a particular opportunity to put these words into action, having been appointed as Minister for Families and Social Services — a portfolio which serves millions of Australians.”
While Mr Fletcher retained a ministry, fellow Liberal north shore MP Trent Zimmerman missed out on a promotion in the enforced reshuffle.
The North Sydney MP, who was part of the Whatsapp group with Paul Fletcher, also supported winning candidate Scott Morrison in the final leadership ballot.