Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's ‘strongest possible frontbench' claim tested by fallout from shadow cabinet cuts

Sky News AU

2 days ago

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has defended her reshaped shadow cabinet amid mounting criticism from within the Liberal and National parties.
Ms Ley told Sky News her frontbench reflected the 'strongest possible team' after senior figures—Jane Hume, Sarah Henderson and Jacinta Price—were demoted.
Factional allies, including Andrew Bragg, Julian Leeser and Alex Hawke, were subsequently promoted in Ms Ley's frontbench.
'Look, I don't want to reflect on individuals and individual appointments, except to say everyone remains important,' Ms Ley said on Thursday.
'And the women that you've mentioned are talented and will continue to contribute incredibly well.
'Ultimately, this is not about who we choose for what seat at the table. It's about bringing the strongest possible team onto the field.'
The reshuffle has triggered internal tensions from Liberal and National Party figures who blame the demotions on "politics and personality" rather than merit.
Among the most notable omissions was former shadow finance minister Jane Hume who was a prominent media performer in the previous term of parliament.
Ms Ley denied that Ms Hume had been made a scapegoat for recent policy missteps, including her maligned public service return-to-office policy.
'There are no scapegoats. Jane is a terrific and talented Senator for Victoria, and of course remains that,' Ms Ley said.
'The team that I announced yesterday includes new faces because we are bringing a fresh approach.'
Senator Sarah Henderson, formerly shadow education minister, also lost her frontbench role.
Ms Henderson expressed disappointment at being excluded and criticised some of the choices made by Ms Ley.
'I regret that a number of high performing Liberal women have been overlooked or demoted in the new ministry,' she said in a statement on Wednesday.
'I am very disappointed not to be reappointed to shadow cabinet or included in the ministry.
'Today, I am more determined than ever to fight for Australian women which must start with a comprehensive policy platform.'
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price retained a position in the outer ministry but was stripped of the Indigenous affairs portfolio and instead appointed the shadow defence industry minister.
Her reduced role follows growing tension between her and Nationals leader David Littleproud, after she defected from the party after the election.
'I have no doubt that there are some of my colleagues who are feeling upset about the decisions that have been made,' she told Sky News on Wednesday.
'I'll be honest to say that there are some appointments that have not been predicated on experience or merit, but this is the team we have to work with going forward.'
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, left on the backbench, rejected Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud's claims that the reshuffle was about renewal.
He claimed instead that internal politicking—particularly his role in negotiating a new Coalition agreement with Ms Ley—led to his exclusion.
'Maybe that's why we (were dropped). I don't know. Look, as I say, it's a prerogative of the leader,' Mr Joyce told Channel Nine.
'It's not about generational change. There are people who are older than me now. I'm 58, I'm not 103.'
Mr Joyce listed multiple shadow cabinet members older than himself, including Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan.
'So it's not generational change. It's politics and personalities.'
The reshuffle follows the Nationals' decision to rejoin the Coalition after temporarily walking out over policy disputes.
Following the split, the Liberal Party agreed to four key policy demands from the Nationals, and the Nationals agreed to cabinet solidarity.
After a Nationals partyroom meeting on Wednesday morning, Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud officially reached the new agreement.
'This is a new term in parliament, it's a new leader, and we are going to do things differently,' Ms Ley said.