Scott Morrison eulogises his under-siege ministers

Scott Morrison has publicly praised his two beleaguered ministers, Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter, as he prepares to shuffle them into less high-profile cabinet portfolios.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds. Picture: APH / NCA NewsWire

Scott Morrison has publicly praised his two beleaguered ministers, Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter, as he prepares to shuffle them into less high-profile cabinet portfolios.

The Prime Minister rebuffed a barrage of Labor attacks on his upcoming reshuffle on Thursday and claimed confidence in all members of his government.

The Australian revealed on Thursday that Mr Morrison was planning to shift Mr Porter out of the Attorney-General’s portfolio 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.

Senator Reynolds is also set to be moved after taking extended sick leave in the wake of the Brittany Higgins rape claims.

On Thursday, Mr Morrison singled out Mr Porter and Senator Reynolds’s performances in the pandemic and bushfires but did not deny he was planning to move them. “As Minister for Defence, she was the minister who at the time of the bushfires already had prepared and planned for the biggest single call-out of the reserve,” he told parliament.

“When JobKeeper went into the public … as Attorney-General, what (Porter) did was ensure we had the changes that kept people in work. I have great confidence in my cabinet members; they have great confidence in me.”

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton is expected to become defence minister and Michaelia Cash to become the ­nation’s second female attorney-general.

It is expected Mr Porter will take Senator Cash’s Employment and Skills portfolio.

Government Services Minister Stuart Robert is a possible candidate to replace Mr Dutton in the home affairs portfolio. Senator Reynolds could fill his spot in government services.

Anthony Albanese blasted Mr Morrison’s moves to keep both ministers in cabinet, questioning their fitness to hold any ministerial office. “Does the Prime Minister intend to keep the ­Attorney-­General in cabinet without holding an independent inquiry into the serious sexual ­assault allegations against him?” he asked.

“Does the Prime Minister also intend to keep the Defence Minister in cabinet despite her calling someone who reported a sexual assault ‘a lying cow’?”

Mr Porter has denied the allegations against him.