Christian Porter, Linda Reynolds to move in cabinet reshuffle

Scott Morrison has refused to say if Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter have his “full confidence” in their current roles.

A cabinet reshuffle is being actively considered by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has refused to say if Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter have his “full confidence” in their current roles.

When repeatedly asked if Ms Reynolds and Ms Porter, who are both on personal leave, would be returning to his ministry as Defence Minister and Attorney-General respectively, Mr Morrison said when he made “judgments about those thing” he would “announce them”.

Attorney-General Christian Porter is currently on personal leave. Picture: Stefan Gosatti / AFP

“I am working through those issues now,” Mr Morrison told A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw.

Mr Morrison said Ms Reynolds was on physical health leave for a “very serious coronary condition”.

“We are still talking to her doctors and her and with her permission, we are working

through that with Linda now in terms of what duties she can perform,” he said.

He said the situation was “different” with Mr Porter, who has strenuously denied the allegation of a historical rape made against him.

“What I have done is to respect the rule of law in this country and how people need to be treated under that rule of law,” he said.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is also on medical leave. Picture: APH via NCA NewsWire

But when asked if both senior ministers had his “full confidence,” Mr Morrison said: “They will continue to play a very important role in my cabinet.”

As reshuffle speculation intensifies, multiple senior Coalition sources have suggested it is also time to elevate the women’s ministerial portfolio by giving it to a female Cabinet member with more time to dedicate to the issue.

Several sources told The Daily Telegraph they were concerned Women’s Minister Marise Payne had not been able to properly allocate attention to the issues raised in Parliament House in recent weeks.

One source said it was “very apparent” Ms Payne “disliked media appearances” and had not engaged as publicly in the issues of sexual harassment and assault as women in Australia would expected.

Speculation is increasing Prime Minister Scott Morrison will reshuffle his cabinet. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Her failure to attend the March 4 Justice outside Parliament last week was an “issue”, another source said, suggesting Ms Payne’s focus was not unreasonably on her foreign affairs portfolio.

“Foreign Minister is always going to take precedent over the women’s affairs role,” they said.

It is expected Mr Porter will retain his Industrial Relations portfolio, while Michaelia Cash has been slated as a potential Attorney-General.

Peter Dutton is widely tipped to take the Defence portfolio, and it has long been speculated Stuart Robert would then move into the Home Affairs role.

This would leave Employment and Skills, as well as Government Services to be filled.

Originally published as Christian Porter, Linda Reynolds to move in cabinet reshuffle