Scott Morrison plans Queensland drought visit, Josh Frydenberg meets with Peter Costello

New PM Scott Morrison draws up his new ministry while Josh Frydenberg seeks advice from Australia’s “greatest” treasurer.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will visit drought-stricken Queensland next week in his first official visit as Australian prime minister.

Mr Morrison was in Canberra on Saturday drawing up his new ministry and met with deputy prime minister Michael McCormack and national drought co-ordinator Major General Stephen Day to highlight his focus on a drought fix. “I’m not pretending to know one end of a sheep from another,” Mr Morrison said. “But I do know people are hurting in the country, and they have been hurting terribly.” Mr Morrison acknowledged the one-week-old appointment of Major General Day by his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull.

But defeating the drought would require bringing together all the resources of government at all levels.

“Another major general once told me don’t rush to failure, and I think it’s important we listen, we plan, we co-ordinate and we respond,” Mr Morrison said. He said it was Major General Day’s job to do just that.

National Drought co-ordinator Major General Stephan Day meeting with PM Scott Morrison and Deputy PM Michael McCormack at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

“I’m up to the challenge,” the major general responded.

“Dealing with the drought is a team sport. I’m glad to be on the team.” Labor welcomed Mr Morrison prioritising drought as “good news,” but said the role of climate change needed to be acknowledged.

Jacketless and with sleeves rolled up, Mr McCormack said he was happy at efforts the government had recently made to help out rural small businesses. “When our regional people are hurting — and they are really hurting in this dire situation — our nation hurts too,” he said.

For that reason, he was glad Mr Morrison’s first port of call was drought- affected Queensland.

“I don’t have an akubra mate,” Mr Morrison quipped.

“So I’ll just have to wear my Sharks hat,” he said, referring to his local league club.

Meanwhile, Australia’s new treasurer Josh Frydenberg will turn to the country’s longest- serving and “greatest” treasurer Peter Costello for advice as he begins in the role.

Mr Frydenberg caught up with his Howard-era counterpart for a coffee in Melbourne’s east on Saturday morning and spoke to other people having breakfast in his electorate.

The freshly-minted treasurer said he’d be “going somewhere” if he could be half as funny as Mr Costello in parliament, and vowed to seek advice from the man who delivered ten budget surpluses in his time.

Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg, right, with Peter Costello. Picture: AAP

“It’s great to be here in Kooyong with my good friend Peter Costello, Australia’s greatest treasurer,” Mr Frydenberg told reporters. “I’ll be turning to Peter for advice as I begin my role as treasurer in the Morrison government.

“I’m very pleased that as deputy leader and as treasurer I follow in his very big footsteps.” Mr Costello congratulated Mr Frydenberg on his promotion to deputy Liberal leader and treasurer, saying he was a “fantastic” appointment. “I’m very, very pleased to see you as treasurer and I think it’s a great opportunity for you and for the country,” Mr Costello said.

AAP