Ministry on notice as Prime Minister’s Office goes all KPI

TONY Abbott has begun an ­annual performance review of his ministry, holding one-on-one meetings aimed at shaking up poor performers.

TONY Abbott has begun an ­annual performance review of his ministry, holding one-on-one meetings aimed at shaking up poor performers, creating harm­ony in his team and setting goals for the rest of the parliamentary term.

The process was initiated as part of mid-year strategic adjustments to get the government “back on track” after a messy ­budget period.

The portfolio-by-portfolio ­ses­sions come as members of the government jockey for position in anticipation the vacant assistant treasury position will soon be filled, not by its previous occupant, Arthur Sinodinos, but by ­another junior minister.

Dubbed by the Prime Minister’s Office as “charter letter” ­reviews, the sessions focus on and update the written instructions given to ministers on ­appointment, outlining the Prime Minister’s expectations. The ­reviews have included sessions without any advisers from the ministers’ offices or, significantly, even Mr Abbott’s powerful chief of staff Peta Credlin.

The PMO says this is so “people can speak frankly” and some ministers have privately welcomed the opportunity.

The reviews are planned to be repeated annually and represent a much more formal process than charter discussions under the Howard government.

Mr Abbott’s process is more akin to annual reviews seen in the private sector and stands in stark contrast to the internal ­resentment exposed in the Rudd government, where ministers criss-crossed the nation desperately seeking individual “face time” with Kevin Rudd.

Mr Abbott has conducted more than half of his time-­consuming reviews despite a frenetic period of overseas travel, parliamentary sittings, national security challenges and spending this week in Arnhem Land.

He devoted two days to the task this month in Canberra after returning from India, and will complete the meetings in coming weeks despite a trip to New York.

Senior ministers described the sessions as a welcome “stocktake” rather than a performance review, pointing out many ministers had “broken the back” of their objectives and needed to focus on the portfolio challenges and opportunities ahead. Others say they are looking forward to the sessions.

Insiders read it as a welcome, timely and wise effort by the Prime Minister to ensure his frontbenchers get the unfettered input and hearing they all desire.

Reports in recent months have highlighted internal and unsourced mutterings of discontent about a government “run by two people” and, by design or accident, the review process is seen as a mollifying initiative.

It comes as expectations within the frontbench and party room are rising for a minor reshuffle to resolve the situation of Senator Sinodinos, who stood aside as assistant treasurer when he was called as a witness to the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearings in Sydney, having formerly been chairman of Australian Water Holdings, the company at the centre of corruption allegations.

Given no serious allegations have been levelled at Senator ­Sinodinos, he is expected to ­return to the frontbench, ­although perhaps not in the same role, the most senior of the non-cabinet portfolios.

Mr ­Abbott is tipped to promote a junior minister such as Jamie Briggs or Sussan Ley.

If ICAC findings made it ­impossible for Senator Sinodinos to return, it would present an opportunity for a new frontbench position. Chairwoman of the House of Representatives Economic Com­mittee, Kelly O’Dwyer, and former West Australian treasurer and attorney-general Christian Porter would then be among the frontrunners.