Angus Taylor set to be given cabinet resources role

Energy Minister Angus Taylor is likely to represent the resources portfolio in cabinet discussions, after Resources Minister Keith Pitt was dumped to the outer ministry.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Picture: John Feder

Energy Minister Angus Taylor is likely to represent the resources portfolio in cabinet discussions, after the Resources Minister, ­Nationals MP Keith Pitt, was dumped to the outer ­ministry.

The Australian has been told that while no final decision has been made, there is a growing likelihood that Mr Taylor will represent the major sector in cabinet, rather than Industry Minister Christian Porter.

Mr Pitt, who is well regarded by Scott Morrison, could be co-opted into cabinet meetings when needed.

Anthony Albanese has vowed to restore resources to cabinet if he becomes prime minister.

Speaking to Sky News, Barnaby Joyce said his cabinet reshuffle is a “transition to a new guard”, and ensuring there’s a “pathway forward” for Nationals MPs.

Mr Joyce tried to offer an explanation for the reshuffle, saying the party “needed women back in the cabinet”, before saying that while Bridget McKenzie had been chosen because she was competent, “on the policy front, it certainly helps us to tick that box”.

“I don’t see this as a transition to me. I see this as a transition to basically a new guard. In my political career, I’m closer to the end than I am to the start,” Mr Joyce said.

“We needed to make sure there’s a path forward for people who are coming in and are recent. That’s why Susan McDonald has got the envoy position. We’ve got to make sure that people stay there.

“I want to make sure when that time comes for transition, the Nationals have a whole suite of people who work at the highest level.”

Mr Joyce said Australia shouldn’t transition to a low-carbon economy until there were “no longer ships floating off” coal ports Newcastle and McKay.

“At this point in time, no one’s shown us what the effects would be in regional areas to regional jobs,” he said.