Cabinet choices never easy: Birmingham - The Canberra Times

Senior government minister Simon Birmingham says Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been taking his time choosing his new-look ministry after last weekend's surprise federal election win. "These are never easy decisions for prime ministers in terms of crafting the best cabinet for the future," Senator Birmingham told Sky News on Sunday. Mr Morrison is expected to announce his new team later on Sunday in Canberra amid reports Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Environment Minister Melissa Price will be dumped. "I feel for any colleague that may miss out in such a process but the PM has to do what is right," Senator Birmingham said, while not confirming who may be in or out of the mix. Three positions have also opened up in the 22-strong cabinet with Christopher Pyne, Nigel Scullion and Kelly O'Dwyer having retired at the election. Attorney-General Christian Porter will add Leader of the House to his workload, replacing Mr Pyne in managing the day-to-day of parliament tactics. West Australian minister Ken Wyatt is also tipped to take on indigenous affairs, becoming the first indigenous Australian to hold the role - a priority policy area for the prime minister over the coming term. According to the Sunday Telegraph Alan Tudge, Jane Hume, Julian Lesser, Linda Reynolds, Arthur Sinodinos, Ben Morton and Sussan Ley are also set for promotion. Otherwise other key cabinet roles are expected to remain unchanged. That would see Peter Dutton keeping Home Affairs, Josh Frydenberg as Treasurer and Mathias Corman as Finance Minister. Health Minister Greg Hunt, Education Minister Dan Tehan and Foreign Minister Marise Payne are also likely to keep their spots. A rise in Liberal MP numbers is expected to push down the quota of Nationals ministers in the cabinet from five to four, which is calculated on a proportional basis. This would leave Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie, David Littleproud and Matt Canavan in cabinet. Australian Associated Press

Senior government minister Simon Birmingham says Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been taking his time choosing his new-look ministry after last weekend's surprise federal election win.

"These are never easy decisions for prime ministers in terms of crafting the best cabinet for the future," Senator Birmingham told Sky News on Sunday.

Mr Morrison is expected to announce his new team later on Sunday in Canberra amid reports Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Environment Minister Melissa Price will be dumped.

"I feel for any colleague that may miss out in such a process but the PM has to do what is right," Senator Birmingham said, while not confirming who may be in or out of the mix.

Three positions have also opened up in the 22-strong cabinet with Christopher Pyne, Nigel Scullion and Kelly O'Dwyer having retired at the election.

Attorney-General Christian Porter will add Leader of the House to his workload, replacing Mr Pyne in managing the day-to-day of parliament tactics.

West Australian minister Ken Wyatt is also tipped to take on indigenous affairs, becoming the first indigenous Australian to hold the role - a priority policy area for the prime minister over the coming term.

According to the Sunday Telegraph Alan Tudge, Jane Hume, Julian Lesser, Linda Reynolds, Arthur Sinodinos, Ben Morton and Sussan Ley are also set for promotion.

Otherwise other key cabinet roles are expected to remain unchanged.

That would see Peter Dutton keeping Home Affairs, Josh Frydenberg as Treasurer and Mathias Corman as Finance Minister.

Health Minister Greg Hunt, Education Minister Dan Tehan and Foreign Minister Marise Payne are also likely to keep their spots.

A rise in Liberal MP numbers is expected to push down the quota of Nationals ministers in the cabinet from five to four, which is calculated on a proportional basis.

This would leave Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie, David Littleproud and Matt Canavan in cabinet.

Australian Associated Press

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