Christian Porter, Linda Reynolds set to move portfolios in cabinet reshuffle

Attorney-General Christian Porter and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds are set to be shifted out of their roles.

Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Christian Porter is set to be shifted out of his role as Attorney-General following advice that his defamation action against the ABC over historical sexual assault allegations could create the perception of a conflict of interest as the nation’s first law officer.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is also set to be moved out of her portfolio after taking extended sick leave in the wake of the Brittany Higgins rape claims.

The Australian understands that both ministers, however, will remain in cabinet.

Scott Morrison is expected to announce the changes as early as the weekend, having received advice from the Solicitor-General earlier this week that while there might not be an immediate conflict of interest in regards to Mr Porter under the ministerial standards, there could be a “perception” of a conflict.

The Prime Minister is expected to swap Mr Porter’s roles of Attorney-General and Industrial Relations Minister with Michaelia Cash’s role as Employment Minister. Mr Morrison is expected to promote his former leadership rival, Peter Dutton, to replace Senator Reynolds as Defence Minister.

Peter Dutton is likely to take the Defence portfolio. Picture: Dan Peled

Mr Porter’s role as the government leader in the House of Representatives is also expected to go to Mr Dutton, who has been acting leader of the House during Mr Porter’s two weeks’ leave.

Stuart Robert, a long-term supporter of the Prime Minister and currently Minister for the NDIS and Government Services, could be promoted to the home ¬affairs portfolio if Mr Dutton is moved.

The straight swap between Mr Porter and Senator Cash, as well as moves for Mr Dutton and Mr Robert, would leave open the portfolio of government services for Senator Reynolds.

Mr Morrison is being forced to make ministerial changes as the deadline for the ministers’ return to work is next week but he wants to continue to defend his ministers and resist Labor calls to sack them.

An announcement is expected within days before both ministers’ leave expires.

Anthony Albanese challenged Mr Morrison in question time to say if he was going to turn Mr Porter “into a part-time minister or drop him completely”.

Mr Morrison continued to fend off Labor questions about the Attorney-General’s future, repeating the advice that he is considering the report from the Solicitor-General into potential conflicts of interest and ministerial standards.

Attorney-General Christian Porter. Picture: Sean Davey

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The Prime Minister’s inclusion of the issue of ministerial standards in the past 48 hours is seen as vital to whether Mr Porter returns not just as Attorney-General but also as Leader of the House for the government.

Advice from the Solicitor-General in relation to Mr Porter’s conflict of interest as Attorney-General while running a defamation suit against the ABC over the 33-year-old rape claims is the key to Mr Porter’s future.

It is understood the advice, which Mr Morrison sought, highlights the complexities and difficulties of Mr Porter being Attorney-General, effectively in charge of the federal court system, while taking legal action.

There is also the practical parliamentary problem of Mr Porter, as leader of the house, potentially having to rule out questions or motions questioning his suitability or gag Labor attacks.

Mr Morrison is determined to defend his ministers and maintain the principle of presumption of innocence in relation to the rape claims which Mr Porter has vehemently denied.

Mr Morrison is determined to keep female representation in his ministry as the Coalition becomes engulfed in allegations of sexual misbehaviour and harassment by staffers in Parliament House.

As Home Affairs Minister, Mr Dutton has been answering questions on behalf of the Defence Minister since Senator Reynolds took health leave three weeks ago.

The Australian understands a straight swap between Mr Porter and Senator Cash is favoured because it would avoid the need for changes to public service administrative and ministerial responsibility arrangements.

While there will be a reshuffle of portfolios, there is no vacancy created in the ministry for any promotion for backbenchers.

The changes could also lead to movement of heads of department in home affairs, defence and foreign affairs.

As the Government moves to take firmer control of the giant Defence spending budget and the huge submarine contract, it is likely Mr Dutton would take with him his tough-minded departmental head, Mike Pezzullo, to defence.

Defence secretary Greg Moriarity could go to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to replace the retiring secretary, Frances Adamson, who leaves in July.

Human Services Minister Stuart Robert. Picture: Russell Millard