Ousted Liberal frontbencher Jane Hume breaks silence after shadow ministry dumping
Demoted Liberal senator Jane Hume has spoken for the first time since it was revealed the former Coalition finance spokeswoman had been dumped from Sussan Ley's new shadow cabinet.
Appearing on Sunrise on Friday morning, two days after the Opposition Leader and Nationals Leader David Littleproud revealed the ministry line-up, the now-backbencher said she was 'hurt' by the decision on both a personal and professional level.
Senator Hume's portfolios for finance, the public service and government services was given to the Liberal's campaign and former home affairs spokesman James Paterson.
'If you're asking me whether I feel hurt or slighted by this move from Sussan, of course it hurts,' she said.
'It hurts professionally because I was a hardworking and prolific and high-profile member of the front bench in the previous opposition. It hurts personally, too, because you know, Sussan and I are friends'.
While she said it was time for the Coalition to 'get behind Sussan Ley,' Senator Hume acknowledged that her new role would give her the freedom to share her thoughts and vote against the party due to a Coalition rule which states shadow cabinet ministers must vote with the Coalition.
'I will continue to do that everyday from whatever position I am in, and, in fact, there is something very liberating about being on the backbench and being able to speak without having to stick to the party line and without having to stick to talking points,' Senator Hume continued.
'That's certainly going to make for much more interesting Sunrise interviews. So, you're very lucky.'
In recent days, Ms Ley has faced criticism over Senator Hume's surprise demotion, however the newly-installed Liberal leader said she was not turfed from a leadership position due to her role in the Coalition's beleaguered call to force public servants back into the office.
The anti work-from-home proposal was ultimately dumped from the party's agenda mid-campaign.
Speaking on Thursday, Ms Ley said there were 'no scapegoats' and acknowledged Senator Hume as 'terrific and talented'.
Immediately after Ms Ley unveiled her new cabinet front bench, the National's most senior woman Bridget McKenzie also said she was surprised Senator Hume had been cut from the line-up.
'I didn't expect her to be not in the shadow ministry at all,' Senator McKenzie told the ABC.
'I'm being incredibly honest. I, like you, was watching the live feed. Other than a couple of positions in our own party, I wasn't aware of the full list.
'This is Sussan Ley saying this is the type of leader of the Liberal Party I'm going to be; this is my team I'm taking forward.
'They're decisions for her and really she needs to answer the whys.'
Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud's shadow cabinet announcement also revealed the ousting of the Coalition's former education spokesperson Sarah Henderson.
Senator Henderson has since said she was 'very disappointed' by the decision' and shared 'regret' that a number of 'high performing Liberal women' were overlooked or faced demotions in the new ministry.
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