Federal election 2016: Cabinet return for Peter Dutton

Malcolm Turnbull is reaching out to conservative Liberals dis­affected by Tony Abbott’s removal and the election result.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, a long-term friend and supporter of Tony Abbott, was dumped from the national security committee in a cabinet reshuffle after Mr Abbott’s removal.

Malcolm Turnbull is reaching out to conservative Liberals dis­affected by Tony Abbott’s ­removal and the disastrous election result, offering an enhanced role for Peter Dutton in leadership strategy and preparing to promote a new generation of right-wing MPs.

The Prime Minister is expected to include the Immigration and Border Protection Minister in the national security committee of federal cabinet, a significant change that acts on months of concerns about conservatives being shut out of key councils.

Mr Turnbull is not expected to offer Mr Abbott a position on the frontbench, choosing instead to promote younger conservative MPs in keeping with his emphasis on renewal in government ranks.

In another vital step to secure power, Mr Turnbull gained qualified support yesterday from ­another two independent MPs — Victorian Cathy McGowan and Tasmanian Andrew Wilkie — to add to the support of Queenslander Bob Katter and give the Coalition a buffer against threats from Labor.

Coalition campaigners said last night they were increasingly confident of winning at least 76 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives in order to form a majority government.

Mr Turnbull headed to suburban Melbourne yesterday to thank voters but acknowledged he had to heed the backlash from Australians, saying he was determined to “bring people together” to make sure the new parliament was stable. “There are lessons to be learned for all concerned,” he said. “We are taking very careful note of the outcome. We respect the judgment of the people.”

He kept up his attack on Labor for waging a “shockingly ­dishonest” scare campaign over the privatisation of Medicare.

In a ploy that infuriates his ­opponents, Bill Shorten is refusing to give a formal concession that he has lost the election even though Mr Wilkie said yesterday there was “no conceivable way” Labor could form government.

The Opposition Leader told all federal Labor MPs to be ­“campaign-ready” immediately and predicted that the instability in parliament would trigger ­another election within a year.

“It’s likely in coming days that the Liberals will scrape over the line,” Mr Shorten told the meeting in Canberra, where about 100 colleagues had flown at taxpayer ­expense even though parliament will not sit until next month.

“But the combination of a Prime Minister with no authority, a government with no direction and a Liberal Party at war with ­itself could see Australians back at the polls within the year.”

The big swing against the ­government has battered Mr Turnbull’s authority and fuelled divisions over policy direction and political strategy, including talk of replacing Health Minister Sussan Ley to send a new message that ­assures Australians they can trust the Coalition on Medicare.

Mr Turnbull is preparing to promote younger conservatives such as Michael Sukkar, who held support in his Melbourne seat of Deakin, and ACT senator Zed Ses­elja.

Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce is also in a position to press for more of his colleagues in the ministry because the Nationals gained one seat at the election while the Liberals lost seats. Those in the running for advancement include Minister for Northern Australia Matt Canavan, who could move into cabinet, and his Liberal National Party colleague Keith Pitt.

Industry Minister Christopher Pyne gazumped his leader yesterday by declaring the Coalition would “form majority government”. Mr Turnbull did not endorse Mr Pyne’s statement and avoided claiming victory, while working towards more agreements with independents on budget supply and no-confidence motions, the two key tests that can bring down a government.

Ms McGowan emerged from a meeting with Mr Turnbull in Melbourne to say there would be “no deals” to guarantee her support but she would contribute to stability by supporting the ­Coalition on supply and confidence. “It’s certainly my preference not to go back to an election,” she said.

Mr Wilkie issued a statement saying he would support supply and confidence in the Coalition government.

Mr Dutton, a long-term friend and supporter of Mr Abbott, was dumped from the national security committee last year in the cabinet reshuffle after Mr Abbott’s removal. The changes meant Mr Dutton attended the committee only when needed on specific ­issues, rather than having access to all discussions or submissions.

Conservative Liberals were aghast that Mr Turnbull’s removal of Mr Abbott, Mr Dutton and former defence minister Kevin Andrews meant Finance Minister Mathias Corman was the only conservative left on the council ­directing national security.

Mr Dutton proved an asset for the government in the election campaign, promoting Coalition success in stopping people-smugglers’ boats and backing Mr Turnbull on national security. As well as his expected return to the NSC, Mr Dutton is likely to be included in discussions setting parliamentary and political tactics.

Young conservative MPs are expected to fill the three ministerial vacancies created by the losses of Assistant Finance Minister Peter Hendy, Assistant Minister for Innovation Wyatt Roy and Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck. All three were key Turnbull supporters during the leadership challenge last year.