Cabinet reshuffle: Michaelia Cash, Christian Porter, Dan Tehan win in PM’s revamp
Bill Shorten claims Darren Chester’s dumping shows Liberal Party infighting had now “infected” the National Party.
Malcolm Turnbull has announced his much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle in Sydney. Christian Porter, Michaelia Cash and Dan Tehan are big winners, while former Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester and Keith Pitt are among the losers.
See a full list of the new cabinet here
Peter van Onselen: Why Turnbull as promoted Queenslanders
Rachel Baxendale 3.49pm: Coalition’s ‘civil war’
Labor leader Bill Shorten said Mr Chester’s dumping showed the “civil war” in the Liberal Party had now “infected” the National Party.
“How else can you explain a competent minister like Darren Chester being demoted?” Mr Shorten said.
“What we have here is we have a Prime Minister and a Deputy Prime Minister who are engaging in such hubris and arrogance that they’re now just punishing the people they don’t like in their own party.
“The real problem with this is that yet again the needs of ordinary Australians as we approach Christmas have been forgotten.”
Mr Shorten was also critical of Senator Cash’s promotion to Minister for Jobs and Innovation.
“What have you got to do to get demoted in this government other than not be a friend of Malcolm Turnbull or Barnaby Joyce?” Mr Shorten said.
“I don’t think there’s any accident is there that they’ve now got another minister to help do the day-to-day carriage of matters in workplace relations.
“I think Malcolm Turnbull probably has the view that the less we hear from Michaelia Cash the better day it is for him.”
Mr Shorten said he put the lack of Tasmanian ministers down to “bias” from Mr Turnbull.
“We all know Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t like going to Tasmania, which is probably just as well, because most Tasmanians don’t like him,” Mr Shorten said.
Mr Shorten also criticised the lack of women in Cabinet.
“We all know that the Coalition and the Liberal Party have a women problem,” he said.
“They’re not good at encouraging women representation in parliament.
“I mean whenever you attend Question Time you just see row after row of blokes in the Coalition.
“They really now need to start speaking up for half the population and giving half the population proper representation in the parliamentary party.”
Rachel Baxendale 3.05pm: Chester reacts to cabinet axing
Mr Chester said he was proud of the work he and his team had done on behalf of the government, and sorry they won’t get to finish some of the jobs they’ve started, laying the blame for his dumping with Mr Joyce.
“I got into politics to make a difference and to do my bit for the community of Gippsland and Australia,” Mr Chester said.
“It has been an enormous honour and a privilege to serve in cabinet in the best portfolio possible, infrastructure and transport.
“Over the past two years, I’ve been part of policy and project decisions which will change lives and save lives across our nation.
“I’m proud of the work my team and I have done on behalf of the government and I’m sorry we won’t get to finish some of the jobs we’ve started.
“Naturally, I’m disappointed by the Leader of The Nationals’ decision to exclude me from his Cabinet team. Politics can be a tough business for all involved. But life goes on and I will continue to support the Turnbull government.”
Mr Chester said the Coalition needed to work together as a strong and united team, and he would continue to demonstrate the loyalty and professionalism that was required to deliver the government Australians deserve.
“To that end, I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Gippsland with passion, enthusiasm and determination for many years to come,” he said.
“I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for road safety and will campaign for increased investment in better, safer roads in regional areas.
“I intend to remain very active in regional policy development with a focus on helping young people achieve their full potential; better connectivity for regional towns; and a fairer share of infrastructure investment to support jobs and further prosperity.
“As a backbencher, I will also have more time to focus on two social policy areas that concern me deeply: the use of illicit substances such as ice and the incidence of suicide in regional areas, particularly among young people and defence force veterans.
“There are many challenges, but there are also many opportunities in regional areas and we must be relentlessly optimistic and confident about the future,” Mr Chester said.
"I'm proud of the work my team and I have done on behalf of the Government and I'm sorry we won't get to finish some of the jobs we've started." Full statement follows. #auspol #lovegippsland pic.twitter.com/VkXIMScJov
— Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) December 19, 2017
Rachel Baxendale 2.53pm: Positive news for Sinodinos
Senator Sinodinos this afternoon released a statement, saying that although he is on extended leave and has stood aside from cabinet, his cancer prognosis is “excellent”.
“Over the coming months, my priority must be to complete my treatment and regain full health,” Senator Sinodinos said.
“I therefore asked the Prime Minister that I not be considered for a ministerial position in today’s reshuffle.
“I will, however, continue to discharge my responsibilities as Senator for NSW, a position I am proud to hold.”
Senator Sinodinos said he had met “many dedicated Australians at the forefront of creating new enterprises and jobs, transforming traditional industries and bridging the gap between great science and commercial opportunity” in his time as industry innovation and science minister.
“The portfolio has made important strides this year in progressing advanced manufacturing and the National Innovation and Science Agenda,” he said.
“With Australia’s economic upswing well and truly underway, these initiatives will continue to promote growth, employment and prosperity.
“I congratulate Michaelia Cash on becoming the Minister for Jobs and Innovation and thank her for her stewardship of the Industry portfolio while I have been away.”
Senator Sinodinos thanked his department and its agencies, as well as his staff for their work.
“It has been a privilege to serve the Turnbull government as Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science,” he said.
“Upon regaining my health, I look forward to the opportunity to return to a senior ministerial or other government role.”
Rachel Baxendale 2.43pm: Chester dumping not revenge for Nats challenge
Mr Turnbull said Mr Chester’s dumping was a “function of geography”, denying that it was retribution from Mr Joyce for Mr Chester’s role in the contest for deputy Nationals leader.
“If you look at the number of Queenslanders in the Nationals party room, you can see the need to have more representation of Queensland among the Nationals ministers in the Cabinet,” he said.
“Barnaby Joyce will no doubt be able to answer this directly, but, plainly, the Nationals have a very large component of their party room (which) comes from Queensland, and Barnaby was keen to see that reflected in their representatives in the cabinet.
“I have to say Darren has been an outstanding minister. I regret that this has resulted in him no longer being a member of the ministry.
“But as I said earlier, he is a very wise colleague, an experienced colleague, and a good friend, and we look forward to his support in the future.”
Mr Turnbull said the lack of Tasmanians in cabinet was a function of the small team of Tasmanians on the Coalition benches in parliament.
“I can assure you that Tasmania is foremost in my thinking,” Mr Turnbull said.
Rachel Baxendale 2.31pm: Cormann’s big win
As well as remaining Finance Minister and becoming Special Minister of State, Mathias Cormann will take over from Senator Brandis as the government’s Leader in the Senate, with Mr Turnbull praising him for his “determination and wise counsel”.
Mr Turnbull thanked dumped Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester for his “very significant contributions”.
“I know that we will all continue to call on his wisdom and experience,” Mr Turnbull said.
In the outer ministry, Craig Laundy will more from Assistant Industry and Innovation Minister to Minister for Small and Family Business, Workplaces and Deregulation, working closely with Senator Cash.
Conservative ACT senator Zed Seselja will replace Mr Laundy, having previously served as Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs.
Fellow conservative Angus Taylor moves to a role in Mr Dutton’s new super-portfolio, as Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security, while Alan Tudge becomes Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, assisted by Alex Hawk who retains his current role.
Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher’s role expands to include Cities.
Small Business Minister Michael McCormack, a NSW National, will take over Mr Tehan’s role as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel.
Rural WA Liberal Melissa Price joins the outer ministry as Assistant Minister for the Environment, working closely with Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, who retains his portfolio.
Chief Natioanls whip Damian Drum becomes Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, while NSW Liberal David Coleman will become Assistant Minister for Finance.
NSW National Luke Hartsuyker moves from Assistant Minister to the DPM, to Assistant Minister for Trade, previously held by Queensland National Keith Pitt, who has been dumped from the ministry.
“I want to thank Keith Pitt for his service in the Assistant Trade Minister role to date,” Mr Turnbull said.
“This is a ministry rich with diverse experience and energy, and it reflects our very, very talented party room.
“Sadly, there is always more ministerial talent than there are places in the ministry, but that is a testament to the diversity and the experience of the Liberal and National parties and their representatives in Canberra.”
Rachel Baxendale 2.15pm: Sinodinos absence explained
Mr Turnbull said Senator Sinodinos had written to him this week to say his medical treatment was taking longer than anticipated, and that he is unlikely to be able to return from leave until the middle of next year.
“In those circumstances, he’s asked that he not be included in the new ministry,” Mr Turnbull said.
“Arthur is one of our generation’s most accomplished and experienced public servants, and his contributions to the cabinet have been sorely missed since his illness
was first diagnosed.
“We wish him all the best in his recovery. We look forward to Arthur regaining full health and returning to a senior ministerial or other government role in the future.”
Mr Turnbull also paid tribute to George Brandis, who leaves the Senate after 17 years to take over as UK High Commissioner.
“George has been an absolute stalwart of the government in the Senate, particularly in the past couple of years, given the challenges of negotiating with a large crossbench, Senator Brandis’ legacy as Attorney-General will be remembered for many things,” Mr Turnbull said.
“It was on his watch as Attorney, and in no small measure thanks to his eloquent advocacy over many years, that Australia legislated for marriage equality.
“Secondly, as the minister responsible for domestic national security legislation since 2013, he’s undertaken the most comprehensive reforms of our national security laws to keep Australians safe.
“Most importantly, the Foreign Interference and Transparency bills I introduced into the Parliament on the last sitting day, which are the most sweeping reforms ever made to keep us safe from hostile foreign interference, are his handiwork, and will be an important part of his legacy. “
Mr Turnbull said he hoped Senator Brandis’s service to Australia had not ended, confirming that he would be recommending him for the UK job early next year.
“I know George will excel at that role. It is a very, very important time in the history of the United Kingdom, and there is a lot at stake for Australia in our relations with the UK,” he said.
“George will bring to that role extraordinary experience and a familiarity with and trust of leading figures in the government and elsewhere in Whitehall.
“He’s superbly qualified to do that job.”
Rachel Baxendale 2.10pm: O’Dwyer steps up
Kelly O’Dwyer, who is currently Financial Services Minister, will take on Senator Cash’s current role as Minister for Women.
Former physical education teacher and sports scientist Bridget McKenzie will take on sport, rural health and regional communications as the new Nationals deputy leader.
Sport was previously held by ongoing Health Minister Greg Hunt, while former Nationals deputy Fiona Nash held regional communications, and Assistant Health Minister David Gillespie had responsibility for rural health.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan is being promoted to cabinet as human services minister, taking over from Victorian conservative Alan Tudge.
Mr Keenan also inherits NSW conservative Angus Taylor’s responsibility for digital transformation.
Mr Turnbull said Mr Tehan would work closely as Social Services Minister with Dr Gillespie, who will take on the newly created role of Assistant Minister for Children and Families, as well as with Jane Prentice, who remains Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability services.
Former Newman government agriculture minister John McVeigh joins cabinet as minister for regional development, territories and local government -- a role previously held by Ms Nash.
2pm: Turnbull’s winners revealed
Malcolm Turnbull has announced a revamped federal cabinet, naming Christian Porter as Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash as head of a new “jobs and innovation” portfolio, and Dan Tehan as Social Services Minister.
As previously announced, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton will become the Minister for new Home Affairs super-portfolio.
Senator Cash’s role will take in her previous employment portfolio, as well as Arthur Sinodinos’s previous industry and innovation portfolio, as he takes extended leave to battle cancer.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce moves from agriculture to infrastructure and transport, after his Victorian Nationals colleague Darren Chester was dumped from cabinet.
Mr Joyce will retain responsibility for dams policy, despite Queensland Nationals backbencher David Littleproud taking over as minister for agriculture and water resources, having worked in agribusiness for two decades before coming to parliament.
Mr Turnbull said Mr Porter would bring prior experience as WA Attorney-General to his new role, while Finance Minister Mathias Cormann will take on Special Minister of State responsibilities in addition to his current portfolio.
“Mathias’s expanded portfolio is testament to his outstanding performance as a cabinet minister, and he’s ideally qualified for this important work, given his work on historic reforms to politicians’ entitlements and foreign donations,” Mr Turnbull said.
1.50pm: PM promotes new faces
Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester has been dumped in a cabinet reshuffle by the PM, with little-known Queensland backbenchers David Littleproud and John McVeigh taking his place, AAP reports.
Rising West Australian Liberal Christian Porter will become attorney-general as George Brandis sets sail for London, with the prime minister announcing a refreshed line-up to take the coalition government into 2018.
“It’s a ministry that showcases the depth of the Liberal and National team, with well-earned promotions for talented individuals, and a number of young and upcoming MPs bringing new skills and energy to the frontbench,” Mr Turnbull told reporters.
1.15pm: Birmingham confident
Education Minister Simon Birmingham said he anticipated that he would keep his current portfolio in the reshuffle.
“But in the end cabinet arrangements and ministerial arrangements are entirely the gift of the Prime Minister, working of course in the Coalition government in consultation with the Deputy Prime Minister in Barnaby Joyce, and all will be revealed when and if the Prime Minister decides to make any changes,” Senator Birmingham told Sky News.
Asked to comment on reports Mr Turnbull had canvassed removing him because of disagreements he has had with the Catholic sector over school funding, Senator Birmingham said he would not go into his conversations with the Prime Minister.
“But you can’t always believe what you read in the newspapers,” he said.
Senator Birmingham declined to comment on reports Mr Chester has been dumped from cabinet, and paid tribute to Senator Brandis.
“I’m not about to pre-empt what may or may not be happening. George is a great friend of mine, a wonderful Liberal and intellectual and thought leader across the party,” he said.
“He has given much over the years and I have no doubt that he’s still much to give to public life one way or another.”
1.10pm: Laundy set for promotion
Craig Laundy is also set to be promoted to the outer ministry, from his current position as Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.
1.00pm: Pitt, Chester dumped
The Australian understands Liberal conservatives Alan Tudge and Angus Taylor will be promoted to ministries supporting Immigration Minister Peter Dutton when he takes over the Home Affairs super-portfolio.
Mr Tudge is currently Human Services Minister, while Mr Taylor is Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation.
Assistant Trade Minister Keith Pitt has been dumped from the ministry, while his backbench Nationals colleague David Littleproud is expected to use his agribusiness background to replace Barnaby Joyce as agriculture minister.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash is also believed to be inheriting the industry portfolio she has been overseeing while Arthur Sinodinos is on leave battling cancer.
It is expected Senator Cash will retain her Employment portfolio.
Chester dumped from cabinet
Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester has been dumped from cabinet, as Malcolm Turnbull prepares to announce a cabinet reshuffle later today.
Social Services Minister Christian Porter is viewed as the most likely candidate to replace George Brandis as Attorney-General, as Senator Brandis leaves federal parliament to become High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, taking over from Alexander Downer, who has held the post since 2014.
Mr Porter, a former WA state attorney-general, is currently Social Services Minister and his portfolio could be handed to Victorian Dan Tehan.
Mr Chester’s portfolio is set to be filled by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, leaving the agriculture portfolio open.
Agriculture is traditionally filled by a Nationals MP, but The Australian understands it will not be taken by Mr Chester, despite the Nationals expecting to retain their five cabinet positions.
New deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie, who replaced disqualified senator Fiona Nash, is also expected to earn a cabinet spot, with both agriculture and Ms Nash’s former portfolio of regional development and communications open.
Like Senator McKenzie and Mr Tehan, Mr Chester, who supported Senator McKenzie for the deputy leadership, is also a Victorian.
Cabinet secretary and Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Arthur Sinodinos, who is battling cancer, is not expected to return to the cabinet table next year.
There is unconfirmed speculation that NSW conservative Liberal Angus Taylor could take Senator Sinodinos’s portfolio.
Elsewhere, Justice Minister Michael Keenan could be in line to take on a security role under the new Home Affairs mega portfolio to be overseen by current Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.
Treasury, health, education, and foreign affairs are expected to remain unchanged.
Speculation that sacked former ministers Stuart Robert and Sussan Ley would be returned, was last night dismissed by senior government sources.
Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said paid tribute to Senator Brandis, saying he had been a wonderful friend and colleague and an outstanding Attorney-General.
“He can look back with pride on what he’s achieved this year and in years prior, leading the government in the Senate, but also seeing the safe passage through of the marriage equality legislation, as well as dealing with some very tricky but important national security legislation, most recently around foreign interference,” Mr Frydenberg told Sky News.
“George has been and is an outstanding colleague and friend and I wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”
Treasurer Scott Morrison said the reshuffle was a matter for the Prime Minister, but also offered his good wishes to Senator Brandis.
“Congratulations to George on a stellar career in Australian politics and for his leadership of the Senate,” Mr Morrison told the Nine Network.
“It’s been great to work with him and I’m sure he will do a great job where he’s heading off to. But it’s for the PM to make the calls about the team.”
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