Coalition frontbench reshuffle unveiled ahead of election

Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will take on an extra role as ‘government efficiency’ spokeswoman – evoking Elon Musk’s role under the US Trump administration.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price takes on a new position in the reshuffle as Opposition ‘government efficiency’ spokeswoman. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Peter Dutton has unveiled his new-look frontbench in the lead up to the federal election, elevating opposition communications spokesman David Coleman to the foreign affairs portfolio and expanding the role of Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to take on ‘government efficiency’.

Speculation about a Coalition reshuffle began in December but the Opposition Leader waited until the Australia Day long weekend to announce the changes.

Mr Coleman’s promotion comes as something of a surprise given figures such as deputy leader Sussan Ley, former frontbencher Julian Leeser, and immigration spokesman Dan Tehan had been rumoured to be in consideration for the foreign affairs role.

The move also saw two strong performers from the conservative faction of the party – home affairs spokesman James Paterson and housing spokesman Michael Sukkar – enter the Coalition leadership group.

The reshuffle sees three new figures enter the shadow ministry, two more into the outer shadow ministry, and a raft of new portfolios.

Melissa McIntosh has been promoted to the shadow cabinet and will take on the communications portfolio. She will keep her western Sydney portfolio, which has been elevated to a shadow ministry position “which highlights the importance of this region to the economic wellbeing of our nation”, Mr Dutton said.

Senator Price will take on a new role as opposition “government efficiency” spokeswoman – evoking Elon Musk’s role leading the government efficiency commission under the US Trump administration – in addition to her current role.

“With Australians sick of the wasteful spending that is out of control under the Albanese government – be it the 36,000 additional Canberra public servants employed under this government, or the flagrant waste of $450 million on the divisive voice referendum – in this new role, Jacinta will be looking closely at how we can achieve a more efficient use of taxpayers’ money, where possible, at a time when a major cause of homegrown inflation is rapid and unrestrained government spending,” Mr Dutton said.

“Jacinta’s outstanding contribution to the Coalition message will stand her in good stead for this new position.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Tasmanian senator Claire Chandler has been elevated to shadow cabinet as opposition government services, digital economy spokeswoman as well as the science and arts portfolios.

Assistant infrastructure and transport spokesman Tony Pasin has been elevated to the shadow ministry as spokesman for roads and safety.

The Coalition reshuffle comes just a week after the Albanese government also unveiled its new frontbench, as both sides of the political aisle gear up for the election.

Julian Leeser – who quit from his role as opposition legal affairs spokesman and Indigenous affairs spokesman because of his support for the voice to parliament referendum – will get into the outer shadow ministry as assistant foreign affairs spokesman.

Matt O’Sullivan has also been elevated from the backbench to be assistant education spokesman.

Opposition child protection and prevention of family violence spokeswoman Kerrynne Liddle will also take on the Indigenous health services portfolio.

Opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien will also take on a role as opposition energy affordability and reliability spokesman.

Michael Sukkar will replace outgoing MP Paul Fletcher as manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives.

This puts Mr Sukkar into the Coalition Leadership Group. Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson will also join the group.

“(Senator Paterson’s) outstanding portfolio work, and his leadership and influence in delivering the Coalition’s message will be critical as we head to the next election,” Mr Dutton said.

Outgoing foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said opposition workplace relations spokeswoman Michaelia Cash would become the Senate leader and opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston would be the deputy leader.

In a statement announcing the changes, Mr Dutton blasted Anthony Albanese’s National Press Club address on Friday, saying it showed he was “failing all the tests of leadership that Australians expect of their Prime Minister”.

“All of his priorities are wrong.

“The Coalition, on the other hand, will continue to deliver the positive plans and policies for the future of our great country.

“A Dutton Coalition government will get our country back on track, and the appointments I announce today further strengthen our Coalition team as we approach the forthcoming election.”