Reshuffle to focus on post-pandemic agenda

Scott Morrison’s pre-election ministerial reshuffle is expected to move aged care into cabinet, create portfolios to support the post-pandemic economic agenda and avoid major upheaval.

Scott Morrison’s reshuffle, expected within days, will be headlined by his picks in the trade, tourism, employment, skills, training and aged care portfolios, which are considered government priorities in the new year. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Morrison’s pre-election ministerial reshuffle is expected to move aged care into cabinet, create portfolios to support the government’s post-pandemic economic agenda and avoid major upheaval across senior ranks.

The shake-up is expected to reward strong performing ministers and promote talent from the backbench ahead of the next election, which could be held as early as the end of next year.

The Australian understands a shuffle of department secretaries is also imminent with movements being flagged across Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence, Home Affairs and Attorney-General departments.

The Prime Minister’s reshuffle, expected within days, will be headlined by his picks in the trade, tourism, employment, skills, training and aged care portfolios, which are considered government priorities in the new year.

Despite earlier discussion about Simon Birmingham retaining a role within the trade portfolio amid rising tensions with China over Australian exports, Education Minister and former diplomat Dan Tehan is firming as favourite to take the key job.

The Australian understands various options have been ­canvassed, including the creation of a junior trade minister to support the government’s push to ­accelerate diversification of trade markets.

Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck, who has struggled during the pandemic, on Wednesday confirmed he had met with Mr Morrison and declared he was “keen to continue in the role”.

While it is not clear whether Senator Colbeck will retain a role in aged care ahead of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety handing down its final report in February, The Australian understands the key portfolio will be given prominence around the cabinet table in the reshuffle.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds are expected to stay in their roles.

Michael McCormack is under pressure to increase the Nationals Senate ministerial representation. Former Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie, who was forced to quit cabinet earlier this year following the sports rorts scandal, is viewed as a leading contender for promotion.

Liberal MPs Ben Morton, Jane Hume and Amanda Stoker, and Nationals senator Susan McDonald, are considered frontrunners for promotion in the reshuffle.

The looming departure of DFAT secretary Frances Adamson and Attorney-General’s Department chief Chris Moraitis’s appointment as Director-­General of the Office of the Special Investigator has opened the way for a shuffle of mandarins.

Defence secretary Greg Moriarty, who has been in the role since 2017, is viewed as the leading candidate to replace Ms Adamson at DFAT. Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo, who has a long history with the Department of Defence, is being tipped to replace Mr Moriarty.

Ms Adamson, who has led DFAT since 2016, is expected to move on next year ahead of her five-year term ending in July.