Liberal reshuffle sees Jonathon Duniam replace Andrew Hastie in key Home Affairs portfolio
Liberal leader Sussan Ley has handed the ‘crucial’ Home Affairs portfolio to a Tasmanian senator in her second reshuffle. Read the latest.
Described by Liberal leader Sussan Ley as “one of the Coalition’s most talented parliamentarians”, Tasmanian Senator Jonathon Duniam has been promoted to the coveted Home Affairs portfolio.
He will replace Andrew Hastie who quit the frontbench after Ms Ley told him he would not be leading the Coalition’s immigration policy – prompting her second reshuffle since the election.
Senator Duniam, who was an assistant minister in the Morrison government, said he was honoured to take on the “crucial” shadow portfolio.
“I am surprised because I’ve worked in domestic policy areas for the past nine years,” he said.
“There’s a degree of difference in national security.
“This appointment ensures Tasmania has a direct say in one of the most important portfolios in the Opposition, and I’ll continue working alongside our Liberal team to deliver for our state.
“Australians deserve to feel safe in their communities and to know that national security and border decisions are made with transparency, accountability and common sense.
“We are not getting that from the Albanese government.
“I look forward to holding this government to account and to informing Tasmanians and Australians about where we can do better in this crucial area of policy.”
Ms Ley is confident Senator Duniam is the right person for the position.
“Given its direct link to the ongoing safety and security of the Australian people, the allocation of this portfolio is one of the most significant decisions a Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition makes,” she said.
“As uncovered and exposed by the coalition in parliament last week, Labor’s significant failings in Home Affairs risk causing substantial harm to the Australian community.
“Accordingly, rigorously scrutinising Labor’s handling of this portfolio takes on an even greater importance and Senator Duniam, one of the Coalition’s most talented parliamentarians, will discharge his duties with the determination and work ethic they demand.”
After the election Senator Duniam was given the education and early learning shadow portfolios.
He recently said he was keen to continue “pursuing a constructive and bipartisan approach to improving student outcomes after decades of decline”.
Senator Duniam said while Home Affairs covered complex policy areas “it requires common sense solutions in the national interest”.
“The return of ISIS brides, facilitated by the Minister for Home Affairs without transparency or accountability, is just one of a string of (government) failures,” he said.
“Communities deserve answers, not secrecy from this government which is failing its promise to be upfront with Australians.
“I thank my good friend, Andrew Hastie, for the work that he has done in this portfolio since the election and I look forward to working in the national interest to get it right for our country and its people.”
On social media Mr Hastie said he believed Australians were becoming “strangers” in their own country due to “unsustainable immigration levels”.
Minister refuses to answer question on legal fees
