Latest news with #shadowCabinet
ABC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Leanne Castley says no formal staff complaints raised as Peter Cain resigns from Canberra Liberals shadow cabinet
ACT Opposition Leader Leanne Castley says MLA Peter Cain's resignation from her shadow cabinet was unexpected and that no formal complaints have been lodged by staff in her team. Mr Cain resigned from the frontbench yesterday, citing concerns about the direction of the leadership team and decision-making processes. "This decision follows ongoing concerns regarding the direction of the current leadership team and the processes through which key decisions have been made," he said. In the statement, Mr Cain implied there were workplace culture problems within the party. "I also have a duty of care to my hardworking staff, who deserve to work in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment," the statement said. Ms Castley, however, told ABC Canberra this morning she is disappointed Mr Cain did not come to her earlier with his concerns. When asked what she had known about Mr Cain's reasons for stepping down, Ms Castley said: "I know as much as you do". She said he spoke to her in her office on Thursday morning before issuing his statement. "So that's what happened and I respect his choice and decision. "We'd had no conversation [about his concerns previously]." She said when she took over the leadership in the wake of the 2024 ACT election, replacing Elizabeth Lee, she had "made a commitment to always have an open door". "I don't stand for gossip and I'm really keen to chat with anyone who has a problem," she said. "So always, and will remain so, my door is open for Peter any time he wants to come and have a chat with me and, yeah, that won't change." Ms Castley said she believed "communication is key". "There are definite changes … as I say, I have a completely open door policy in the assembly … but we can't do the same thing we've always done and expect a different result," she said. "So, we're getting some great wins in the chamber and I know that the team are really excited by that. Ms Castley was adamant she had a cohesive team, despite Mr Cain's move to the backbench. "Our goal is to win government in 2028. "Whether everyone is wanting to take a portfolio at this time, or wanting to take a bit of time to pause and reflect, that's OK as well." Asked about information from Liberal sources who had revealed the situation had been developing and that Mr Cain had voiced concerns previously, Ms Castley said she had not been privy to that. She said he had not raised concerns with her "about decisions the leadership team are making". She added that when she asked Mr Cain why he was resigning, he said: "We'll discuss that at another time". Ms Castley also agreed with Mr Cain's comments about a "duty of care" for staff and said no formal complaints had been lodged within their team. "We have an amazing HR team in the assembly, any question you have for them, they're always open and very good at that two-way communication as well, so I would encourage all of our staff to make sure they're taking care of themself," she said. "It's a tough job when your boss is constantly getting slammed for one thing or another." Asked if any informal complaints had been made, she said: "I think every office is having informal discussions about the way staff are being treated". Yesterday, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr described Mr Cain's resignation from the shadow cabinet as a "reflection of deep divisions within the Canberra Liberals on key policy issues". "His comments regarding the safety of his staff are particularly concerning," Mr Barr said in a statement. "One thing is clear: the Canberra Liberals remain deeply conservative, increasingly out of touch, and more divided than ever." But today Ms Castley said she was confident she was the right person to lead the Canberra Liberals. "Absolutely, I think we're stronger than we have been," she stated. "Knowing that we're coming into budget week strong, ready for questions, ready to understand what this budget is about."
ABC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Henderson says 'high-performing Liberal women' were overlooked for shadow cabinet
Liberal senator Sarah Henderson said she is disappointed that "a number of high-performing" women were overlooked or demoted in the opposition's new ministry, weeks after Sussan Ley became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. Senator Henderson, who was the shadow education minister under Peter Dutton, was left out of Ms Ley's frontbench reveal on Wednesday, as was Jane Hume, a high-profile senator who was relegated from the finance portfolio to the backbench. Claire Chandler, previously in government services, was also left off the list, while Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was moved out of cabinet and to the outer shadow ministry in the defence industry portfolio. Senator Henderson said she was "disappointed" to be removed from shadow cabinet, adding: "I regret that a number of high-performing Liberal women have been overlooked or demoted in the new ministry." "Today, I am more determined than ever to fight for Australian women, which must start with a comprehensive policy platform." Senator Price, speaking to Sky News on Wednesday night, said she too was "disappointed" to be left out of cabinet, after she made the shock move from the Nationals to the Liberal party room for a tilt at the party's deputy leadership. "There are probably some appointments that have not been predicated on experience or merit, but this is the team we have to work with going forward," she said. "I'm not going to lie and say I'm not disappointed that I'm not within cabinet itself. "But I did say when I decided to move to the Liberal party room that as part of the Coalition we needed to build and that I would be taking whatever position I am in very seriously." At a media conference on Wednesday, Ms Ley dismissed the notion that conservative women had been targeted in the reshuffle. "This is a new parliament with new people being elected and a new agenda moving forward," she said. "I am thrilled that I have so many terrific colleagues. And those that, as I said earlier, are not on this list are certainly incredibly valued and will continue to play that very, very important role that all of us must in opposition." Meanwhile, other women who were part of Mr Dutton's shadow ministry found themselves promoted to more senior positions under Ms Ley. They include Kerrynne Liddle, who will move into the social services portfolio, Melissa McIntosh, now tasked with communications, and Michaelia Cash, who takes on foreign affairs. Several women were also promoted into assistant roles, including Melissa Price in science, Zoe McKenzie in education and mental health, Leah Blyth in families, and Maria Kovacic in family violence prevention. Gisele Kapterian will hold an assistant role in the communications portfolio if she is elected to the seat of Bradfield. Under Mr Dutton, who was ousted from parliament at the recent election, women made up half of cabinet positions. That has dropped to about a third in the new arrangement — which is in line with the percentage of women in the broader Coalition party room — with eight of the 23 cabinet positions going to women. Asked specifically about the removal of Ms Hume from the ministry, Ms Ley said reshuffles were always "tough days". "I recognise that, but what I do want to say about Jane Hume is she is an enormously talented, fantastic member of this team who has contributed amazingly over her political career, will continue to do so, and is a strong performer across a range of different subject areas." Shortly after becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Party in its 81-year history, Ms Ley declared that "we need more women in our party" and vowed to look at ways to make it a reality. A record-breaking number of women were elected to Australia's parliament at this month's federal election, with the majority coming from Labor's ranks in the House of Representatives.
