Ley unveils temporary Liberal-only shadow cabinet, Ted O’Brien to act as own assistant
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The news: Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has announced an acting Liberal-only shadow cabinet, with current frontbenchers covering roles left by the Nationals before a more permanent solution is reached in a week.
The context: Ley has been scrambling to fill eleven shadow and outer shadow cabinet vacancies created by last week’s mass resignation by the Nationals.
In statement on Friday, Ley said her Liberal-only frontbench would only include pre-existing shadow ministers who will take on additional responsibilities.
“With several upcoming parliamentary sittings, including Senate Estimates, the Liberal leadership group has met and agreed that the finalisation of longer term shadow ministerial arrangements is also required,” she said.
The arrangement will apply for next week, the first of two consecutive sitting weeks, before Ley appoints another eight Liberals to fill the roles in the long-term.
Whether Ley, whose leadership is under significant pressure, will last to appoint a permanent Liberal-only shadow cabinet remains to be seen.
The short-term arrangements will see treasury spokesman Ted O’Brien act as his own assistant, foreign affairs spokesman Michael Cash take on the trade portfolio, and Anne Ruston will act as agriculture spokesperson.
Defence spokesman Angus Taylor, who is looking to overthrow Ley, will assume the veterans’ affairs portfolio.
And as some Nationals demand an end to the split of the former Coalition, Ley reiterated the "door remains open” to reunification.
What they said: “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,” Ley said in a statement.
The source: Sussan Ley statement
