by NAZIYA ALVI RAHMAN – LIBERAL Senator James Paterson has admitted that political “considerations” had shaped the Liberal Party’s new Shadow Cabinet, prompting criticism and disappointment internally.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s announcement saw senior figures Jane Hume and Sarah Henderson dropped from key roles, raising concerns within Party ranks.
- Emissions reduction to remain a top priority of the Liberal Party.
- Forty per cent of Coalition shadow ministry is made up of women.
- Questions raised whether shadow ministry picks were based on merit.
“Leaders have to balance States,” Senator Paterson told the ABC, describing the process as “political” rather than purely merit-based.
“I would be lying if I said merit is the most important consideration,” he said, noting that leadership decisions involve balancing the House and Senate, gender, and ideological representation.
STRONG
He praised Ms Hume as a “strong communicator” and expressed confidence she would return to a senior role soon.
Ley defended the move, saying, “Jane is a terrific colleague … but this isn’t about who is sitting at what table and what role they have. It’s about every one of the 54 members of our Party room having a role to play.”
Paterson said he was more disappointed about Henderson’s departure from the front bench.
“Sarah did a great job in her portfolio and is a valued colleague as well,” he said.
Some observers speculate that Henderson, a conservative, was removed, perhaps as Ley, a moderate, shifts the Party’s internal dynamics.
Another high-profile figure, Jacinta Price – who left the Nationals for the Liberals after the election – was also sidelined from Cabinet, being assigned only an assistant shadow ministry role.
Price told Sky News she was disappointed and questioned whether the decisions were based on merit.
Paterson, while not addressing her claim directly, said, “We would all like to be in Shadow Cabinet,” but added she had still been given a “significant and senior role”.
He rejected suggestions that the reshuffle was ideologically driven.
MODERATE
“If you look across the Party room, there are conservatives – like myself, Angus Taylor, Michaelia Cash, Andrew Hastie – and there are people from the more moderate end like Dave Sharma and Maria Kovacic. I think it’s a balanced team,” he said.
The number of women in the Shadow Cabinet has also dropped from 11 to eight.
Paterson said numbers “ebb and flow,” pointing to newcomers like Zoe McKenzie and Gisele Kapterian, should she win the seat of Bradfield.
Ley, meanwhile, underscored her leadership role in ensuring women have more influence.
“Forty per cent of my shadow ministry is made up of women,” she said.
“The Party is led by a woman. When we make the calls that we need to, I will be at the table for every single one of those big calls.”
Discussing his new portfolio, Paterson flagged the urgent need for the Liberal Party to restore its economic credentials.
Following the Liberals’ worst-ever election performance on May 3, internal criticism mounted over the Coalition’s lack of a compelling economic platform, which many believe contributed to its defeat.
BLAMED
Senior Party figures openly blamed former shadow treasurer Angus Taylor for failing to provide candidates with sufficient policies to campaign on.
He acknowledged that economic management has long been a core strength of the Liberal brand.
“If we are ever to return to government at the federal level, we must have a very strong lead over Labor on the economy,” he said.
He emphasised that the Party must remain committed to lower taxes and stronger budgets.
On net-zero, Paterson declined to state a personal position, citing the party’s ongoing policy review.
“Sussan has signalled that emissions reduction is an important part of our agenda,” he added.
He noted that the appointment of Dan Tehan as Shadow Minister for Energy & Emissions Reduction is a sign that emissions will remain a priority.PC
There it is folks: the SFLs are proving they are the alp’s mini me. The SFLs are NOT conservatives. In fact they prove time and time again they are rabbits in the spot light. It is amazing that they cannot see their alp lite approach is destroying them. Buckle up folks because with no mandate, how could they with 35% of the primary vote, albo and blackout are going to close this stupid nation down over the next 3 years: and the SFLs, with 33% of the primary, are going to mindlessly follow them.