OPPOSITION PARTY ANNOUNCED FRONT BENCH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 001085 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL AS SUBJECT: OPPOSITION PARTY ANNOUNCED FRONT BENCH REF: CANBERRA 1065 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Opposition Liberal Party Leader Tony Abbott announced December 8 a new shadow cabinet that highlights a shift toward a more aggressive and conservative approach toward the Government. The new lineup favors those who backed Abbott's overthrow of Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal leader (Reftel). Joe Hockey remains Shadow Treasurer; Deputy Leader Julie Bishop keeps Foreign Affairs; and David Johnston stays as Shadow Defense Minister. Abbott's key supporter, Senate Leader Nick Minchin, was rewarded with the Energy and Resources portfolio, which will allow him to have a major voice on climate change issues. Former Howard Government Ministers Kevin Andrews, Philip Ruddock and Bronwyn Bishop have been promoted from the backbench. Outspoken National Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce - a vehement opponent of emissions trading ) assumes the Finance portfolio. The combative Eric Abetz steps into the Employment and Workplace Relations. Greg Hunt takes on responsibility for the Coalition's Climate Action Plan, despite being a strong supporter of an emissions trading scheme. End Summary. Into key positions -------------- ¶2. (U) As expected, Abbott's frontbench favored those that backed him in his leadership coup, including Nick Minchin and Eric Abetz, who remain in Shadow Cabinet but with more high profile portfolios. Arguably the biggest winner is the outspoken Sophie Mirabella, promoted to Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. - As Deputy Liberal Leader, Julie Bishop has the prerogative to choose her portfolio; she remains in Foreign Affairs. - Senator David Johnston, who holds the scalp of former Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, remains in Defense. - Scott Morrison, a former Turnbull supporter but close to the Right, was promoted to Immigration. - Climate change skeptic and Right faction leader Nick Minchin receives Energy and Resources. - Staunch Catholic Kevin Andrews takes Families, Housing and Human Services. Other Howard government Ministers elevated from the backbench are Bronwyn Bishop (Seniors) and Philip Ruddock (Shadow Cabinet Secretary). - Nationals Senate Leader Barnby Joyce, a former accountant and vehement opponent of emissions trading, appointed to Finance. It is rare for a Nationals party member to hold this portfolio. - Combative Right-winger Eric Abetz assumes Employment and Workplace relations - a negative issue for the Coalition at the last election. - Climate Change and Environment Minister Greg Hunt given responsibility for the Coalition's Climate Action Plan (This portfolio replaces the Shadow Emissions Trading Design portfolio which has been scrapped given the Coalition no longer supports an ETS.) - Tony Smith, close to former Treasurer Peter Costello, Q- Tony Smith, close to former Treasurer Peter Costello, promoted to Broadband and Communications. - Climate change skeptic Cory Bernardi - dumped to the backbench by Turnbull - becomes Abbott's Parliamentary Secretary. - Respected party strategist Andrew Robb - who turned on Turnbull - is in Shadow Cabinet as Chair of the Coalition Policy Development Committee. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Abbott's frontbench indicates a rightward shift in the Opposition with a greater willingness to defend the Howard government's record and shore up the Liberal base. The new team is designed more to confront the Rudd Government rather than propose alternative policies. The appointment of Abetz to Workplace Relations will be seized on by the Labor party and the unions. Similarly, the Labor CANBERRA 00001085 002.2 OF 002 party will portray the promotion of Andrews as further evidence Abbott "wants to take Australia back." However, as Abbott has remarked, "I won't die wondering." He knows history is against first term government's losing so he figures he has nothing to lose by offering voters a clear alternative. The appointment of Joyce to Finance may damage the Coalition's economic credibility given his protectionist views and the Nationals' reputation for pork-barrel spending to benefit their rural constituents. End Comment. BLEICH