Abbott denies cabinet reshuffling claims after report notes 6 ministers likely to lose jobs

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet by introducing some newbies and removing the old ones. Pressure on the PM is rising significantly, demanding changes in the Cabinet as the Coalition is found preferring Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership over Mr Abbott’s.

According to reports, the PM is planning to remove six ministers from the current Cabinet, not including Treasurer Joe Hockey. This has sparked claims that his senior colleagues are concerned about the criticism that may affect the PM's leadership if he keeps supporting the treasurer.

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews, Employment Minister Eric Abetz and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane are on the list of members on the firing line, according to The Daily Telegraph. Calls for introducing new candidates as MPs in the parliament may be the main focus of the government for the next election.

A senior source has indicated the move will “surprise” the ministers as Mr Abbott is keen on removing former Cabinet ministers from the John Howard era. The Daily Telegraph has provided the list of some of the members of Coalition who are expected to get promotions in the upcoming reshuffling of the Cabinet.

The list includes former WA treasurer and parliamentary secretary Christian Porter, Human Services Minister Marise Payne, Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer, and Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, who played a great role in hitting airstrikes in Syria. On the list, the most surprising name is of former Assistant Treasurer Arthur Sinodinos, who was demoted to the backbench in 2014.

Mr Abbott has maintained the same Cabinet since being elected as Opposition Leader in 2009, with the exception of Defence Minister David Johnson who was removed in 2014, The Daily Telegraph notes.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne, however, believes the Abbott government is doing a great job in spite of plans to axe six members from parliament. “All the people you have mentioned are good men doing a good job and the government is getting on with the job,” Pyne told Nine Network.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Ministers in danger are:

Kevin Andrews, Andrew Robb, Jamie Briggs, Ian Macfarlane, Michael Ronaldson, Bob Baldwin and Nigel Scullion.

Members for promotion:

Karen Andrews, Kelly O’Dwyer, Fiona Nash, Michael McCormack, Dan Tehan, Darren Chester, Christian Porter, Alan Tudge, MIchaella Cash, Marise Payne and Arthur Sinodinos.

UPDATE: Mr Abbott has downright denied the Cabinet reshuffling reports. He calls it a "dime a dozen."

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