Peter Dutton denies Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie would be moved to backbench if Coalition win Federal Election
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been put in an awkward position during a press conference as he was asked about a report that a frontbencher - who was standing behind him - may be demoted.
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5 | Dutton backs Bridget McKenzie after facing awkward question on her future role |
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has backed Senator Bridget McKenzie after he was questioned about reports of her being potentially dumped to the backbench depending on the results of the upcoming federal election.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has denied Nationals MP Bridget McKenzie would be dumped to the backbench if the Coalition win the Federal Election in May.
The Liberal leader was on Friday campaigning in the Western Sydney electorate of Parramatta spruiking the halving of the fuel excise at a petrol station in Epping.
The cost of living measure would see the tax on petrol and diesel drop to 25.4 cents for one year, with the possibility of an extension if needed, Mr Dutton told Sky News.
Towards the end of the press conference, one journalist questioned the Opposition Leader about a report that Senator McKenzie could be demoted to the backbench.
Mr Dutton danced around answering the question explicitly.
"How could you dump somebody like a Senator McKenzie who's a fantastic shadow minister, was a great minister in government and will be a great minister in the next Coalition government as well. All of that's for another day," he said in response.
Senator McKenzie reacted with a smile and giving a wink.
While Mr Dutton is the Leader of the Opposition, Ms McKenzie's position on the frontbench will be determined by Nationals leader David Littleproud.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Senator McKenzie and fellow Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce are among the ministers who may be removed from the frontbench if the Liberals pick up extra seats at the Federal Election in just over one month's time.
The Nationals are currently overrepresented in the shadow ministry, with seven spots taken up compared to the Liberals with just 16 ministers.
The Nine Newspaper reported deputy Nationals leader Perrin Davey, trade spokesman Kevin Hogan and resources spokeswoman Susan McDonald could also be demoted.
It will come down to how many seats Liberals can take from Labor, Greens and the independents but there is only expected to be four or five spots for the Nationals.
The Coalition will be campaigning hard in marginal seats across the country as it sets its eyes on reclaiming frustrated voters in Labor electorates struggling with cost of living.
Mr Dutton during the press conference on Friday was asked when he will release the plan on gas modelling, which he believes will drive down the cost of electricity prices.
"It's almost here, so just be patient. The message is our energy policy will over the long run be much cheaper than Labor's. That's obvious," he said.
"And if you have gas which is a natural gas which is a huge part of producing, generating electricity in our country, if that can come down, then we can reduce across the community, across the economy, not just for families, the cost of electricity.
"And the cost of gas which is a significant element in the creation of almost everything you see around you in the built environment.
"We want to bring the cost of everything down which we can do if we have a gas policy which is for Australians and that is part of our energy policy."
He also spoke repeatedly about the halving of the fuel excise he said will bring immediate relief for households, with savings of $14 a week for a one-car family.
It will cost the economy $6 billion for the one year change. Mr Dutton has argued his policy is better than Labor's $5-a-week tax cut which he has vowed to repeal.
Mr Dutton on Friday also unveiled a $231 million funding promise for Sydney's west to upgrade the area's roads to ease congestion and unlock the second airport.
A Dutton government will inject $117.5 million into completing the Mulgoa Road corridor upgrade in Penrith and $50 million to duplicate Edmondson Ave in Liverpool.
A further $18.8 million will be splashed on investigating on upgrading semi-rural roads near the new Western Sydney airport and a further $15 million on future upgrades to Old Windsor and Windsor Roads and Werrington Arterial stage two.
Other roads to be improved include $15 million at Carlingford's Pennant Hills Road and Mosley Street and $10 million for the Pennant Hills intersection and Evans Road.
The Liberal leader declared the election pledge will help Western Sydney reach its "full potential" and be a "game changer" for families so they are not stuck on roads.