‘All positions up for grabs’ in PM’s new-look frontbench
SCOTT Morrison is expected to unveil his new-look frontbench at the end of the week after closely reviewing his entire ministry following the Coalition’s surprise victory.
A pre-election exodus including Kelly O’Dwyer, Christopher Pyne and Steven Ciobo has left a series of frontbench vacancies which the prime minister plans to use to reward his election heroes.
The Bulletin has learned pressure is also mounting on the bungle-prone Melissa Price to stand down, creating more room for rising stars.
Despite having committed to keeping a handful of ministers in their current positions during the campaign it is understood “all positions are up for grabs”.
While this was unlikely to translate into a wholesale overhaul of Cabinet Mr Morrison was mindful of building a fresh team that would take the party forward.
Victorian Senator Jane Hume is expected to be the biggest winner with a move straight to the Cabinet from the backbench after her excelling as an election attack dog who “mauled” Liberal turncoat Julia Banks.
Mr Morrison is understood to be considering appointing a youth minister which would likely be inner-city Melbourne MP Tim Wilson who was the architect of the government’s damaging attack on franking credits policy.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt is likely to be promoted to Cabinet as indigenous Affairs Minister after doubling his margin in his West Australian seat of Hasluck.
Western Australia MP Ben Morton was in line to be promoted off the backbench with one insider noting he was a “faithful lieutenant who understands the prime minister as well as his state”. Mr Morton travelled with Mr Morrison throughout the campaign.
Other MPs who could be rewarded for strong swings toward them include Immigration Minister David Labor’s Coleman, Cities Minister Alan Tudge and Robertson MP Lucy Wicks.
The prime minister was also under pressure to promote conservative rising stars who increased their margins Andrew Hastie and Tony Pasin.
Mr Morrison was expected to make good on his promise to make former Army brigadier Linda Reynolds defence minister if the Coalition won with her former portfolio of Defence Industry likely to drop out of Cabinet into the outer ministry.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann were all set to keep their jobs.
Christian Porter has added Leader of the House to his Attorney-General portfolio. The position, previously filled by Mr Pyne, is a key tactical role which was vital in a finely balanced parliament.
“I’d like to see that role executed in a way that is as collegiate as possible and makes for a parliament that is co-operative and works as well as it can do in the interests of the Australian people,” Mr Porter said.
The prime minister has also said Health Minister Greg Hunt, Education Minister Dan Tehan and Foreign Minister Marise Payne would continue in their roles.