Scott Morrison in danger of being seen as giving jobs for mates

Scott Morrison in Canberra on Friday. Picture: Gary Ramage

Scott Morrison has moved to cauterise the damage caused by the Christian Porter saga with a minor reshuffle, but risks entrenching perceptions his instinct is to reward his most loyal political allies.

The portfolio changes announced on Friday reflect the changing priorities of the government, but the focus will be placed on the two key promotions: Ben Morton and Alex Hawke. Both were key figures, along with Stuart Robert, in supporting Morrison in the 2018 leadership challenge.

Hawke will enter cabinet as Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister and Morton has been promoted to the ministry from an assistant minister position.

Both are experienced political operators. Hawke entered parliament in 2007 and Morton was the Liberal Party West Australian director before entering federal politics in 2016.

They are not undeserving of promotion, but the jungle laws of politics will expose Morrison to predictable claims that old allies are being rewarded.

The door was opened when Morrison appointed Robert as minister for the NDIS and government services after the 2019 election.

Porter’s old industry portfolio will now go to Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor, a sensible move given the central role of new technologies in driving the government’s climate policy.

Porter’s science and technology responsibilities will transfer to Defence Industry Melissa Price following the sealing of the new AUKUS hi-tech defence technology sharing framework with the US and UK.

The return of immigration to cabinet will also elevate the portfolio after the creation of the overarching home affairs portfolio, reflecting the challenges posed by the international border reopening and return of foreign students and tourists.