Victorian MP Alan Tudge is Australia’s minister for cities, urban infrastructure and population, after new prime minister Scott Morrison announced his first Cabinet on Sunday.
Morrison replaced Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister on August 24 after a dramatic week in Canberra. He named his new Cabinet 48 hours later.
Newly-elected deputy Liberal leader Josh Frydenberg steps in as treasurer, formerly Morrison’s role.
Nationals leader and deputy PM Michael McCormack remains minister for transport and infrastructure.
And Tudge, minister for citizenship and multicultural affairs under Turnbull, was named the new minister for cities, urban infrastructure, and population.
Tudge Tweeted he was “honoured” to take on the new portfolio. “I look forward to my new congestion busting role,” he wrote on August 26.
Tudge was among a key group of frontbenchers who deserted the Turnbull Ministry in the days after Peter Dutton failed in his initial bid to challenge the PM’s leadership.
“I have tendered my resignation as Minister, having offered it on Monday,” Tudge Tweeted on August 23, a day before Turnbull was finally ousted as leader.
“This is a decision I have not taken lightly. However, this morning it became clear that there is no longer the support for PM, including from members of leadership group.”
MPs debated leadership on WhatsApp
Paul Fletcher, who had served as urban infrastructure and cities minister under Malcolm Turnbull since July 2016, was promoted to the role of minister for families and social services.
Fletcher was reported this week as a key player in a WhatsApp conversation between several MPs, which played a key role in getting Morrison the top job.
Morrison, Dutton and Julie Bishop contested for leadership after Turnbull stepped down in a Liberal partyroom meeting on Friday.
In the group message (named ‘Friends for Stability’) leaked by ABC’s Insiders program, Fletcher implored fellow Liberals to ensure Bishop didn’t eliminate Morrison in the first round of balloting during the spill meeting.
“[Finance minister Mathias] Cormann rumoured to be putting some WA votes behind Julie Bishop in round 1,” Fletcher wrote to his colleagues. “Be aware that this is a ruse trying to get her ahead of Morrison so he drops out and his votes go to Dutton.
“Despite our hearts tugging us to Julie we need to vote with our heads for Scott in round one.”
Bishop was eliminated in the first round of balloting, and Morrison was the victor in the final round, defeating Dutton 45 votes to 40.
Newspoll gives some idea of damage done
Morrison and his Cabinet ministers face an uphill battle to win back the public ahead of next year’s federal election.
The first Newspoll since the leadership coup shows Labor’s two-party lead has jumped to 12 percentage points – 56 to 44 – over the Liberal/National Coalition.
It’s a staggering shift from the last Newspoll, taken a fortnight ago, which showed Labor’s lead at just 2 percentage points – 51 to 49.
Morrison said he was aware of the task at hand.
“[The Cabinet] will ensure we have the stability necessary and begin the work of healing that is needed after recent events,” he said.