Senior Qld Lib retires to backbench as Dutton unveils new shadow ministry
A senior Queensland Liberal MP Karen Andrews is set to announce her retirement as Peter Dutton unveils a reshuffled frontbench.
Karen Andrews will shift to the Opposition backbench. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Former home affairs minister Andrews will retire at the next federal election, rather than trigger a by-election for her Gold Coast seat of McPherson which she holds with a more than 9 per cent margin.
Andrews was first elected in 2010 and was a cabinet minister from 2018 until the fall of the Morrison government at the 2022 election.
News of the decision, which she will announce on the Gold Coast later on Tuesday, came before Dutton unveiled a reshuffled frontbench in Adelaide.
Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Price is the new opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman, taking the job vacated by Julian Leeser, who resigned from his role to campaign for the “yes” case in the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum.
The opposition leader described Price as a “fighter”.
“She’s a warrior for Indigenous Australians and she’s a very proud (Northern) Territorian,” he told reporters.
“She’s always fought hard to improve the lives of Indigenous women and kids, and we’ve seen that just in recent days.
“I know that she’ll do an outstanding job in leading the charge, but better practical outcomes for Indigenous Australians, not through the prime minister’s Canberra voice bureaucracy.”
Price, who has been a vocal campaigner against an Indigenous voice in the constitution, said she was “very humbled, very grateful that the leadership has entrusted me”.
Dutton described West Australian Senator Michaelia Cash as a “dear friend” who will add attorney-general to her shadow portfolio.
James Patterson will join the shadow cabinet as the new opposition home affairs spokesman.
Kerrynne Liddle will take on the role of opposition spokeswoman for child protection and the prevention of family violence.