Liberal leader Sussan Ley said the members will serve in their roles until 9 February, at which time she’ll appoint a new Shadow Ministry. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Liberal leader Sussan Ley has announced that some opposition members will assume short-term Shadow Cabinet responsibilities to cover vacancies left by the dissolution of the Coalition with the National Party.
In a brief statement, she said the temporary responsibilities were necessary to cover for upcoming parliamentary sittings, including Senate Estimates. She added that her Liberal Leadership Group had met and agreed that the finalisation of longer-term shadow ministerial arrangements is also required.
She said, as a result, the acting arrangements will end before 9 February when she will appoint six permanent opposition members to serve in the Shadow Cabinet and two in the outer Shadow Ministry.
“There is enormous talent in the parliamentary Liberal Party and my party room is more than capable of permanently fulfilling each and every one of those roles,” she said.
Until this time, the following members will act in the vacancies, while retaining their existing responsibilities: Ted O’Brien – Assistant Treasurer and Financial Services; Senator Michaelia Cash – Trade, Investment and Tourism; Senator Anne Ruston – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Dan Tehan – Resources and Northern Australia; Senator James McGrath – Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Local Government and Territories; Angus Taylor – Veterans’ Affairs; and Angie Bell – Water and Emergency Management.
Ms Ley said the Nationals’ decision to leave the Coalition was regrettable and unnecessary, and said the door remains open.
“The Liberal and National parties exist to serve the Australian people and the maintenance of a strong and functioning relationship between both is in the national interest – whether we are in a formal Coalition or not.
“On Tuesday evening, I wrote to David Littleproud proposing that we meet, without any preconditions and as a priority, ahead of Parliament’s return,” she added.
“I understand and respect his decision to await his party’s consideration of a forthcoming spill motion. Following Monday’s parliamentary meeting of the Nationals, I will attempt to meet with whoever is elected as their leader.”
Original Article published by Andrew McLaughlin on PS News.
