Attorney-General Christian Porter and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds could be DUMPED in Cabinet reshuffle – after PM vowed to ‘get house in order’
- PM is considering future of Christian Porter and Linda Reynolds
- The Attorney-General has vehemently denied alleged historical rape claim
- Scott Morrison confirmed an announcement on Porter’s future is pending
- Porter is currently on stress leave until March 31, also suing ABC for defamation
- Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has also been on extended six leave
Scott Morrison is not ruling out dumping Christian Porter as Attorney-General – and the position of Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is also up in the air.
The prime minister has received advice from the solicitor-general about what portfolio responsibilities he might need to strip from Mr Porter while he sues the ABC for defamation.
Mr Morrison has also sought advice from his department in relation to the attorney-general and ministerial standards.
The removal of the pair would potentially pave the way for Peter Dutton to become the new Defence Minister, while Michaelia Cash is tipped to replace Mr Porter as AG.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison reacts during Question Time at Parliament House on March 24
The future of Attorney-General Christian Porter remains up in the air – he is due to return from sick leave on March 31
Mr Morrison has been under intense pressure to move Mr Porter amid growing backlash over his handling of a historical rape claim against the AG.
The PM admitted on Tuesday he ‘had to do better for women’ and expressed a determination to clean up the culture in Federal Parliament.
Labor has asked Mr Morrison whether he is preparing to make Mr Porter a ‘part-time minister’ or drop him altogether.
The prime minister did not rule out either option during Question Time on Wednesday.
‘I am considering that advice with my department secretary in terms of the application against the ministerial guidelines,’ he told parliament.
‘When I have concluded that assessment I will make a determination and I will make an announcement at that time.’
Mr Porter has launched legal action against the public broadcaster over a story about rape allegations against a senior minister.
The Attorney-General was not named in the story but his lawyers claim Mr Porter was easily identifiable.
He later came forward to reveal he was the minister in question.
Mr Porter is due to return from stress leave on March 31.
Ms Reynolds has also been on extended sick leave for the past several weeks in the wake of the alleged rape of former media advisor Brittany Higgins in her office.
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