Cabinet shuffle a boost for state

MALCOLM Turnbull has recalibrated his Cabinet to save marginal seat holders and those battling political scars under a shake-up that gives Queenslanders a stronger voice.

The PM promoted five new faces to Cabinet and ousted three others in a reshuffle that has sparked ructions and allegations of payback from some National MPs.

Mr Turnbull was able to reboot his Cabinet after convincing Attorney-General George Brandis to resign, the ongoing illness of Arthur Sinodinos and the dual citizenship debacle.

A “super jobs” portfolio has been created by Mr Turnbull, who plans to refocus his Government on the economy and security.

Michaelia Cash, bruised by the leaking of union raids and fatigued by relentless political attacks by union heavies, will take on the new role.

She will be elevated into the powerful Expenditure Review Committee.

While in net terms Queensland has one only extra Cabinet position with the resignation of Senator Brandis, there will be two new Queensland faces in Cabinet, including first-time National MP and agri-banker David Littleproud and former Newman government agriculture minister John McVeigh.

News Corp can reveal it was Barnaby Joyce who wanted more Queenslanders in Cabi- net but it came at the expense of Victorian Cabinet Minister Darren Chester and of assistant trade minister and Queensland MP Keith Pitt.

Mr Chester ironically did himself out of a Cabinet position for orchestrating the elevation of Bridget McKenzie as Deputy Leader of the Nationals instead of supporting Queenslander Matt Canavan.

With just four Nationals, it was untenable that half would be in Cabinet.

Despite some internal rumblings, his demotion was not malicious.

Sources said Mr Chester would likely be promoted if a Cabinet position becomes available in the future.

However, some southern Nationals were bitter last night with Mr Joyce, who they believed were being punished for not anointing his “acolyte Matt Canavan”.

Mr Littleproud told News Corp yesterday while there had been speculation about his promotion, he never banked on it until receiving a phone call from the PM.

Meantime, highly placed sources yesterday accused Mr Pitt of being disloyal and bitter, in part explaining his demotion.

Mr Pitt snubbed the Nationals leadership and Mr Joyce in a short statement acknowledging his demotion from the frontbench.

Mr Turnbull said geography shaped his ministry, implying he needed to keep Queensland happy.