Dutton reshuffles shadow ministry for run up to the election

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a reshuffle of the Coalition’s shadow ministry as the pre-election campaign ‘phoney war’ starts to heat up.

He said a Coalition Government would get Australia “back on track” and that the appointments would further strengthen the Coalition team as the election approached.

Mr Dutton announced that the NSW Member for Banks, David Coleman, will become the Coalition’s shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, replacing South Australian Senator Simon Birmingham, who will be resigning at the next election, which is due by May.

“David has made an outstanding policy contribution as our Shadow Minister for Communications, and he has the intellect, temperament and vision to take on this important portfolio responsibility,” Mr Dutton said.

“A former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs and a highly experienced parliamentarian, David will take on this role with his customary diligence, astute policy mind and diplomatic skill.”

Mr Dutton also announced that NSW Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh will be promoted to the Shadow Cabinet. She will replace Mr Coleman as the Shadow Minister for Communications while retaining her responsibilities as Shadow Minister for Western Sydney.

“Mel has made an enormous contribution since her elevation to the Shadow Ministry last year, and I am pleased to welcome her into the Shadow Cabinet, where she will continue to take the fight up to the government on key policy areas,” he said.

The Ministry for Western Sydney has also been elevated to the shadow cabinet, a move Mr Dutton said highlights the region’s importance to the nation’s economic well-being.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Claire Chandler has been appointed to the shadow ministries of Government Services and the Digital Economy, and Science and the Arts, replacing Paul Fletcher who will not seek re-election at the next election.

“Claire is a passionate Tasmanian who has been a proven contributor to the Coalition team,” Mr Dutton said.

“At a time when government services are going backwards under Labor, Claire’s strong policy mind and political advocacy will ensure government services get to those who need it.”

In a move mirroring that of the new Trump Administration in the US, Mr Dutton also announced the creation of a new Shadow Minister for Government Efficiency portfolio, which NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will oversee.

Mr Dutton said Australians are “sick of wasteful spending that is out of control” under the current government. He referenced the employment of 36,000 new public servants and the $450 million spent on the Voice referendum as examples.

“In this new role, Jacinta will be looking closely at how we can achieve a more efficient use of taxpayers’ money, where possible, at a time when a major cause of homegrown inflation is rapid and unrestrained government spending,” he said.

“Jacinta’s outstanding contribution to the Coalition message will stand her in good stead for this new position.”

Mr Dutton said this new shadow role would not become a new department if the Coalition won government but would instead be rolled into the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

South Australia’s Member for Barker Tony Pasin has been appointed as the Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, which will sit under Senator Bridget McKenzie’s Shadow Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.

Other new appointments include the NSW Liberal Member for Berowra Julian Leeser as Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Western Australian Liberal Senator Matt O’Sullivan as the Shadow Assistant Minister for Education.

South Australian Liberal Senator Kerrynne Liddle will take on the responsibilities of Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence to add to her current role as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Health Services, while Queensland Liberal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien adds Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability and Reliability to his role as Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

Victorian Liberal Member for Deakin Michael Sukkar will be the Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives, replacing Paul Fletcher in this key role.

Shadow Minister for Cyber Security, Home Affairs and Shadow Cabinet Secretary Victorian Liberal Senator James Paterson has been promoted to the Coalition’s Leadership Group.

“His outstanding portfolio work, and his leadership and influence in delivering the Coalition’s message will be critical as we head to the next election,” Mr Dutton said.

“These appointments are excellent additions to the Coalition’s strong, experienced, and united team. The Coalition under my leadership will continue focussing on the policy issues that matter.”