Scott Morrison getting ready for pre-Xmas reshuffle as he nominates Cormann for OECD gig

Scott Morrison is preparing a ministerial shake-up before Christmas to cement his pre-election frontbench team following the early departure of Mathias Cormann.

Scott Morrison is preparing a ministerial shake-up before Christmas to cement his pre-election frontbench team after the early departure of ­Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who will make a run to lead the Organisation for Economic ­­Co-operation and Development.

The Prime Minister confirmed on Thursday he would finalise a wider ministerial reshuffle by the end of the year, after nominating the nation’s longest serving ­finance minister as Australia’s candidate for OECD secretary-general.

Trade and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham will be promoted to finance minister and Government Leader in the Senate on October 30, when Senator ­Cormann steps down.

Senator Birmingham will ­retain his existing portfolios until the December reshuffle, with ­Employment Minister Michaelia Cash moving-up as Deputy ­Government Leader in the Senate.

Leading Liberal conservative candidates for promotion to cabinet include Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar and International Development and Pacific Minister Alex Hawke.

Ben Morton, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and a close adviser to Mr Morrison, and Assistant Minister for Superannuation and Financial Services Jane Hume are being touted as front-runners to move into the outer ministry.

There will also be scope to elevate another Queensland MP into the ministry, and support promotion of more female MPs.

The reshuffle, which comes ahead of a potential early election toward the end of next year — is also expected to consider the ministerial future of Immigration and Citizenship Minister David Coleman, who has been on personal leave since December.

With nine ministerial positions, including five in cabinet, West Australian MPs are considered to be over-represented on the frontbench. NSW MPs fill six cabinet positions, four outer ministries and three assistant ministries.

Victorian MPs fill five cabinet positions and three junior positions, with Queensland holding five cabinet spots and four parliamentary secretary roles. There are 17 men and six women in cabinet.

The Australian understands another option being considered by the Morrison government is to streamline cabinet and reallocate Senator Birmingham’s trade, investment and tourism portfolios to other current ministers.

The government is also expected to consider whether to elevate the aged-care portfolio into cabinet ahead of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety delivering its final report before February 26.

Senator Birmingham, who has played a key role in advancing ­negotiations with Britain and the EU on free-trade agreements, on Thursday promised a smooth transition into the finance portfolio.

“My priority is working with the Prime Minister, the Treasurer, and the whole government to implement the economic recovery plan that we released just this week,” Senator Birmingham told Sky News.

“And building on the work that we’ve done all year in terms of cushioning the effects of COVID-19 on the Australian economy and more importantly, on businesses, households and people’s jobs and livelihoods.”

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash, who will become only the second woman to hold one of the ­Coalition’s top two Senate spots, said the new team would focus on delivering “good outcomes for Australia”.

Mr Morrison, who is considering the scale of his reshuffle, said the ministerial changes, would “ensure the strong continuity of what the government is doing, the implementation of our budget”.