Major returns and promotions as new opposition leader unveils shadow ministry

Check your BMI

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled his new shadow ministry, bringing back the Nationals and exiled members.

The new leader said his frontbench marked a "fresh beginning" for the Coalition after a tumultuous few weeks that saw the Nationals briefly split from the Liberals, a leadership spill and Sussan Ley ousted from her role.

"This is a team that is blending proven experience with the next generation of Coalition talent," he said. 

READ MORE: Is Australia finally about to get a high-speed rail announcement?

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled his new shadow ministry this afternoon, bringing back the Nationals and exiled members.

toonsbymoonlight

Taylor said he has brought back the Nationals after they mass quit in protest of Ley refusing to reinstate three sacked members.

He said it was an opportunity to put the past behind them and start anew with "unity".

The deputy leader, Jane Hume, has been chosen the shadow minister for employment and industrial relations, and shadow minister for productivity and deregulation portfolios.

She was also named the deputy Liberal leader in the Senate.

Ted O'Brien, the former deputy leader under Ley, has been appointed the new shadow foreign affairs minister.

Tim Wilson was appointed the shadow treasurer.

Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampjinpa Price, who were both exiled from the frontbench under Ley, have been promoted.

Hastie, who was rumoured to be a contender for the party leadership but did not run, was named the industry and sovereign capability spokesman and the deputy Liberal leader in the House of Representatives.

Price has been tasked as the spokeswoman for small business, skills and training.

READ MORE: TGA issues warning after undeclared drug found in collagen tablets

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, who chairs the committee, said the government had only rejected two recommendations.

James Paterson, an outspoken supporter of Taylor in his bid for Liberal leadership, has been given the defence portfolio previously held by Taylor. 

Claire Chandler has been elevated as the new shadow finance minister. 

Sarah Henderson has also returned to the shadow cabinet for the communications and digital safety portfolio.

Michaelia Cash has been appointed the new shadow attorney-general, replacing one of Ley's main supporters Andrew Wallace, and will remain the Leader in the Senate.

Andrew Bragg, another key backer of Ley, remains as the shadow housing and homelessness minister and was also given the shadow environment portfolio.

Nationals members Bridget McKenzie, Susan McDonald and Ross Cadell have returned to the shadow cabinet after they were dumped by Ley for breaking shadow cabinet solidarity rules and voting against the party line on the government's hate laws in January.

Their sacking prompted a mass resignation of the entire Nationals frontbench, which saw the Coalition split for the second time in under a year. 

READ MORE: 'They made a choice': Government won't help Australians with alleged IS ties

Nationals Senators Ross Cadell, Bridget McKenzie and Susan McDonald, pictured with colleague Matt Canavan, voted against the hate laws bill.

Julian Leeser, Melissa McIntosh, Dan Tehan, Dave Sharma, Anne Ruston, Aaron Violi, Henry Pike, Tony Pasin, Leah Blyth, Garth Hamilton, James McGrath and Simon Kennedy were also appointed to the shadow cabinet.

Taylor thanked the outgoing members of the shadow ministry for their service.

"We are fortunate to have talent in our party room and are committed to drawing all of it," he said.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x