Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has unveiled a sweeping reshuffle of the Coalition front bench, axing key figures including Jane Hume and Sarah Henderson, moving leadership rival Angus Taylor out of Treasury, and demoting Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price following a dramatic week in conservative politics.
The announcement comes after the Liberal and National parties formally reunited following a week-long rift triggered by internal tensions and the fallout of their crushing federal election defeat. Flanked by Nationals leader David Littleproud, Ley described the new-look shadow ministry as one that “balances experience with new talent” and positions the Coalition as a team of “strivers and optimists”.
In a major shake-up, long-serving shadow treasurer Angus Taylor has been reassigned to the defence portfolio. Queensland MP Ted O’Brien will take on the influential Treasury brief, a move that signals a shift in economic messaging. Andrew Hastie, previously defence spokesperson, moves into home affairs, displacing James Paterson, who now takes on the finance portfolio.
Jane Hume, who held the finance role and was widely considered a key supporter of Taylor, has been dumped from the front bench entirely. Ley denied political motivations behind the decision, despite speculation stemming from Senator Hume’s controversial role in the campaign debate around working from home and her perceived loyalty to Taylor.
“She is an enormously talented, fantastic member of this team who has contributed amazingly over her political career and will continue to do so,”
Ley said, attempting to quell speculation of factional retribution.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who crossed the floor from the Nationals to the Liberals in a failed bid to become deputy leader, has been demoted from the shadow cabinet. She now holds the outer ministry portfolio of the defence industry. Her abrupt switch between parties and challenge for the deputy role reportedly unsettled both Liberal and National colleagues, contributing to her sidelining.
Several key Ley loyalists have been rewarded. Former Minister Alex Hawke makes a return to the front bench as shadow industry minister. Moderate Liberal Andrew Bragg takes over the housing and productivity portfolio, while Michaelia Cash becomes the new shadow foreign affairs spokesperson.
Dan Tehan moves to energy and emissions, Jonathon Duniam replaces Sarah Henderson in education, and Angie Bell takes on environment and youth. Tim Wilson and Kerrynne Liddle also join the front bench ranks in employment and social services, respectively.
Among the Nationals, David Littleproud retains the agriculture portfolio, Kevin Hogan keeps trade, and Bridget McKenzie remains in infrastructure. Susan McDonald stays in resources, while Darren Chester replaces Barnaby Joyce in veterans’ affairs. Joyce, along with Michael McCormack, has been moved to the backbench.
Former deputy prime ministers Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack are among several senior figures who have been relegated. Other casualties from Peter Dutton’s previous line-up include Claire Chandler, Sarah Henderson, and Jane Hume. Tony Pasin, Michelle Landry, and Rick Wilson have also lost assistant roles, while figures such as Hollie Hughes, James Stevens and Luke Howarth were not re-elected or reappointed.
In a nod to gender representation, several women have been appointed to assistant roles. Maria Kovacic will take on family violence, Melissa Price returns in science and cyber, Zoe McKenzie takes on education and mental health, and Leah Blyth will focus on families and communities. Gisele Kapterian is expected to serve in communications and technology if elected to Bradfield.
The full shadow cabinet includes Sussan Ley as Opposition Leader, Ted O’Brien in Treasury, Michaelia Cash in Foreign Affairs, James Paterson in Finance, Angus Taylor in Defence, Julian Leeser as Attorney-General, Andrew Hastie in Home Affairs, Anne Ruston covering Health, Jonathon Duniam in Education, Kerrynne Liddle in Social Services and Indigenous Affairs, Andrew Bragg in Housing and Productivity, Tim Wilson in Employment, David Littleproud in Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie in Infrastructure, Kevin Hogan in Trade, Dan Tehan in Energy and Emissions, Angie Bell in Environment and Youth, Susan McDonald in Resources, Alex Hawke in Industry, Melissa McIntosh in Communications, and James McGrath in Electoral Matters.
Ley defended the reshuffle as forward-looking, saying the Coalition had turned a corner after the election debacle. “Every MP and senator has a role to play, even if they’re not formally in the line-up,” she said. The new frontbench, she claimed, represents “the full range of our philosophical traditions, values and perspectives across our two great party rooms.”
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
