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Arthur Sinodinos says Abbott ministers leaking on Hockey should be sacked Arthur Sinodinos says Abbott ministers leaking on Hockey should be sacked
(about 2 hours later)
Former minister Arthur Sinodinos has attacked colleagues backgrounding journalists that the prime minister should sack treasurer Joe Hockey “if the Canning byelection goes badly”, and suggested Abbott instead sack the leakers.Former minister Arthur Sinodinos has attacked colleagues backgrounding journalists that the prime minister should sack treasurer Joe Hockey “if the Canning byelection goes badly”, and suggested Abbott instead sack the leakers.
“Ministers should be working hard to win the Canning byelection rather than backgrounding against a colleague to scapegoat a potential loss,” said Sinodinos, who was the longstanding and respected chief of staff to former prime minister John Howard.“Ministers should be working hard to win the Canning byelection rather than backgrounding against a colleague to scapegoat a potential loss,” said Sinodinos, who was the longstanding and respected chief of staff to former prime minister John Howard.
“Holding out the prospect of a reshuffle ... smacks of defeatism and a lack of focus on the substantive issues of governing. The prime minister should sack any minister or adviser who is engaged in such deliberate leaking and destabilisation. We should be working to achieve a swing to us in this byelection,” he said.“Holding out the prospect of a reshuffle ... smacks of defeatism and a lack of focus on the substantive issues of governing. The prime minister should sack any minister or adviser who is engaged in such deliberate leaking and destabilisation. We should be working to achieve a swing to us in this byelection,” he said.
Speculation has been rife in Canberra for some time that the prime minister might “throw Hockey under a bus” and elevate social services minister Scott Morrison to the treasury if leadership destabilisation intensifies after the Canning byelection on 19 September.Speculation has been rife in Canberra for some time that the prime minister might “throw Hockey under a bus” and elevate social services minister Scott Morrison to the treasury if leadership destabilisation intensifies after the Canning byelection on 19 September.
Related: Poll puts Liberals in trouble in Canning byelection, with parties neck and neckRelated: Poll puts Liberals in trouble in Canning byelection, with parties neck and neck
But the spectacle of backgrounding, and public commentary about backgrounding, could also increase the likelihood of a swing against the government in Canning, which the Liberals have held with a margin of almost 12%.But the spectacle of backgrounding, and public commentary about backgrounding, could also increase the likelihood of a swing against the government in Canning, which the Liberals have held with a margin of almost 12%.
There has also been discussion that Abbott will reshuffle the cabinet by the end of the year, with the possibility some long-serving ministers leaving the frontbench to allow the elevation of younger talent and more women.There has also been discussion that Abbott will reshuffle the cabinet by the end of the year, with the possibility some long-serving ministers leaving the frontbench to allow the elevation of younger talent and more women.
Scott Morrison acknowledged these discussions in an interview on 3AW last week.Scott Morrison acknowledged these discussions in an interview on 3AW last week.
“There has been some suggestion that the prime minister may be considering that [a reshuffle] at the end of the year and that has been the understanding I think for some time,” he said.“There has been some suggestion that the prime minister may be considering that [a reshuffle] at the end of the year and that has been the understanding I think for some time,” he said.
“That is not surprising. I mean the prime minister has kept a very stable team over a very long time, not just in government but from the time in ­opposition as well. It is not ­unusual for prime ministers to consider that from time to time, and they are entirely matters for him.”“That is not surprising. I mean the prime minister has kept a very stable team over a very long time, not just in government but from the time in ­opposition as well. It is not ­unusual for prime ministers to consider that from time to time, and they are entirely matters for him.”
On Monday, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted two unnamed cabinet ministers saying “talks had been held” regarding Hockey, a third unnamed minister saying they “wouldn’t write that off as a theory” and a fourth playing down the prospect. The report did not specify who the sources were claiming had been involved in the “talks”.On Monday, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted two unnamed cabinet ministers saying “talks had been held” regarding Hockey, a third unnamed minister saying they “wouldn’t write that off as a theory” and a fourth playing down the prospect. The report did not specify who the sources were claiming had been involved in the “talks”.
Asked about the report, Abbott said “not a single person has raised it with me ...[Hockey] has my full confidence. He has the full confidence of the cabinet. He is doing a fine job”.
Speaking on 2UE on Monday, Morrison said the report was “speculative nonsense”.Speaking on 2UE on Monday, Morrison said the report was “speculative nonsense”.
Hockey was also criticised by unnamed ministers and some backbenchers for agreeing to co-chair a parliamentary friendship group on Australia becoming a republic – one of more than 70 friendship groups in the parliament. According to the critics, Hockey joining the group was a “distraction”.Hockey was also criticised by unnamed ministers and some backbenchers for agreeing to co-chair a parliamentary friendship group on Australia becoming a republic – one of more than 70 friendship groups in the parliament. According to the critics, Hockey joining the group was a “distraction”.
During the last parliamentary sitting period, Guardian Australia revealed that federal cabinet had met without a single formal cabinet submission to consider and the government was embarrassed by the repeated leaking of widely distributed media talking points advising members to tell journalists that cabinet was functioning extremely well.During the last parliamentary sitting period, Guardian Australia revealed that federal cabinet had met without a single formal cabinet submission to consider and the government was embarrassed by the repeated leaking of widely distributed media talking points advising members to tell journalists that cabinet was functioning extremely well.
Discussion of a reshuffle has also occurred in the context of upcoming diplomatic appointments, which could be filled by long-serving ministers standing aside, including to replace former Labor leader Kim Beazley as ­ambassador to the United States.Discussion of a reshuffle has also occurred in the context of upcoming diplomatic appointments, which could be filled by long-serving ministers standing aside, including to replace former Labor leader Kim Beazley as ­ambassador to the United States.