Minister dumping an ‘act of malice’

THE federal government’s top infrastructure job has been stripped from a Victorian in an “act of political bastardry”.

Gippsland Nationals MP Darren Chester was spectacularly dumped from his Turnbull Government position in a ministerial reshuffle yesterday — perceived by many of his colleagues as an act of malice from deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.

Victoria — home to quarter of the nation’s population — receives just 9.4 per cent of federal infrastructure funding and is struggling with $7.5 billion roads and rail funding shortfall.

Colleagues have lashed out at Mr Joyce, who will take Mr Chester’s infrastructure and transport job, for his decision to dump two frontbenchers and elevate little-known firstterm Queensland MP David Littleproud to the cabinet.

The move has placed the junior Coalition partner on the brink of an internal revolt and now has a handful of Nationals MPs questioning Mr Joyce’s future in the top job.

It also threatens to damage an already strained relationship between the Andrews Government and Canberra over roads and rail funding.

Nationals MP say Mr Chester’s role in supporting fellow Victorian Bridget McKenzie successful bid as deputy leader played a major role.

The dumping soured an otherwise strong result for Victorian representations within the federal government, with Senator McKenzie (sport and rural health) and Liberal MP Dan Tehan (social services) both elevated to the Cabinet.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who is understood to have advised Mr Joyce against the decisions, struggled to justify Mr Chester’s sacking yesterday.

“Darren has been an outstanding minister. I regret that this has resulted in him no longer being a member of the ministry,” Mr Turnbull said.

A handful of Nationals MPs said the moves were “madness”, “baffling” and “just f-king dumb” and are now questioning Mr Joyce’s judgement and his capacity to continue as party leader.