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| Julie Bishop says cabinet reshuffle not needed | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The minister for foreign affairs, Julie Bishop, has played down ministerial reshuffle rumours, insisting she will stay in her current portfolio and the whole cabinet is performing well. | The minister for foreign affairs, Julie Bishop, has played down ministerial reshuffle rumours, insisting she will stay in her current portfolio and the whole cabinet is performing well. |
| Several reports have suggested a reshuffle is on the cards, particularly focusing on defence minister Marise Payne’s absence for surgery and the possibility that the attorney general, George Brandis, may need to be replaced if he is appointed as an ambassador or judge. | Several reports have suggested a reshuffle is on the cards, particularly focusing on defence minister Marise Payne’s absence for surgery and the possibility that the attorney general, George Brandis, may need to be replaced if he is appointed as an ambassador or judge. |
| On Wednesday, Bishop told Sky News that Payne was back at work although she was still recovering from surgery, and she took part in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting by video conference. | On Wednesday, Bishop told Sky News that Payne was back at work although she was still recovering from surgery, and she took part in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting by video conference. |
| “She’s not able to travel to Japan at present, that’s just on medical advice,” Bishop said. “We’ve rescheduled the meeting with the Japanese foreign and defence ministers, they’re looking forward to the rescheduled meeting in the new year.” | “She’s not able to travel to Japan at present, that’s just on medical advice,” Bishop said. “We’ve rescheduled the meeting with the Japanese foreign and defence ministers, they’re looking forward to the rescheduled meeting in the new year.” |
| Asked on ABC’s AM about a reshuffle, Bishop said any reshuffle was a matter for the prime minister but “I believe we have a very good cabinet, everybody is doing a great job and working extraordinarily hard in the national interest”. | Asked on ABC’s AM about a reshuffle, Bishop said any reshuffle was a matter for the prime minister but “I believe we have a very good cabinet, everybody is doing a great job and working extraordinarily hard in the national interest”. |
| Addressing speculation she may seek a domestic portfolio, Bishop said she was aware of the report in the Australian but could deal with the claim “very quickly”. | Addressing speculation she may seek a domestic portfolio, Bishop said she was aware of the report in the Australian but could deal with the claim “very quickly”. |
| “As the deputy leader of the Liberal party it is convention that I am free to choose my own portfolio, I chose foreign affairs and I intend to remain foreign affairs [minister].” | “As the deputy leader of the Liberal party it is convention that I am free to choose my own portfolio, I chose foreign affairs and I intend to remain foreign affairs [minister].” |
| It is totally within the prime minister’s prerogative to determine a reshuffle but Liberal party sources said it was highly unlikely to move a senior woman member out of cabinet. | It is totally within the prime minister’s prerogative to determine a reshuffle but Liberal party sources said it was highly unlikely to move a senior woman member out of cabinet. |
| The prime minister’s office was not commenting on rumours of the reshuffle, referring Guardian Australia to Turnbull’s previous comments which back in his existing cabinet and ministry. | The prime minister’s office was not commenting on rumours of the reshuffle, referring Guardian Australia to Turnbull’s previous comments which back in his existing cabinet and ministry. |
| “Prime ministers are always asked this question at this time of year and I think it’s probably true they always give the same answer too,” Turnbull said at the end of the last parliamentary sitting week. | “Prime ministers are always asked this question at this time of year and I think it’s probably true they always give the same answer too,” Turnbull said at the end of the last parliamentary sitting week. |
| “But as it happens, I have a fantastic cabinet, a great ministry and we’re delivering.” | “But as it happens, I have a fantastic cabinet, a great ministry and we’re delivering.” |
| But this time last year, Turnbull was also defending his team just weeks before ministers Mal Brough and Jamie Briggs resigned from the ministry, causing a reshuffle. | But this time last year, Turnbull was also defending his team just weeks before ministers Mal Brough and Jamie Briggs resigned from the ministry, causing a reshuffle. |
| “We have, I have, an excellent ministry,” he said on November 30 last year. “I am delighted with the work that my colleagues are undertaking. It is measured by results. The results are building up and we are delivering.” | “We have, I have, an excellent ministry,” he said on November 30 last year. “I am delighted with the work that my colleagues are undertaking. It is measured by results. The results are building up and we are delivering.” |
| In December 2015, former minister Jamie Briggs had stepped down from the frontbench followed by Mal Brough, necessitating a reshuffle. | In December 2015, former minister Jamie Briggs had stepped down from the frontbench followed by Mal Brough, necessitating a reshuffle. |