Scott Morrison approached to become the next Treasurer
Scott Morrison has allegedly been offered the position of treasurer at the ministerial meeting held Tuesday night. Reports have suggested that new Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is planning to re-arrange his new set of frontbenchers.
Turnbull has always been found criticising Treasurer Joe Hockey for his moves. Reports have claimed that he has approached Morrison to take the charge as the new treasurer to succeed Hockey. The PM has scheduled Cabinet reshuffling announcement on Monday.
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has been offered the position of Treasurer, ABC’s Barrie Cassidy has been told. Hockey has also been reportedly asked to remain in the Cabinet, but under the Ministry of Communications.
When asked about the continuation of his job by the reporters during a media conference on Wednesday morning, Hockey refused to provide details about his conversation with Mr Turnbull. “I’ve had discussions with the prime minister,” he said, “We’ll leave it at that. We’ll see what happens.” The conference, however, was held to introduce the multinational anti-avoidance legislation.
“Joe Hockey will have to go, there’s no doubt about that,” 9News political editor Laurie Oakes said on Tuesday night. He added Hockey is regarded as much as a problem for the government as ex-PM Tony Abbott.
Besides Julie Bishop as deputy leader, Andrew Robb and Sussan Ley will also continue to hold their position as trade and health minister respectively. There is confusion with the profile of Education Minister Christopher Pyne, who may remain on the same post or could be shifted to the defence ministry.
After Abbott’s adios, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has supposedly resigned from his position. Attorney General George Brandis, on Cabinet reshuffling, told ABC TV that he would like to continue the top law officer of the country.
Under the reign of Turnbull, female presence on the frontbench is most expected as he is reportedly planning to promote assistant immigration and border protection minister Michaelia Cash along with assistant minister for health Fiona Nash.
In May 2015, there were reports claiming Morrison asked Abbott to give him Hockey’s job as treasurer, though the reports were declared to be untrue. “I don’t know what people are on in this town with all this nonsense going on, but this is total and utter nonsense,” Morrison told Sky News .
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