Give Petro a go!
I’ve been pondering the possible makeup of Malcolm Turnbull’s new shadow ministry (likely to be announced on Sunday), looking at who is in it at the moment, who could be dropped and who would be good to promote. Although the need to minimise internal unrest probably means there won’t be a huge number of demotions or surprises.
One person who I’d love to see in there – even though I doubt very much it will happen – is Petro Georgiou, the Member for Kooyong since 1996. He’s recently turned 60, which could be seen as undesirable with the Coalition in a rebuilding phase. But he’s undoubtedly got the political and policy smarts, as well as the experience. He’s one of a number of high quality people who were left out of the Ministry throughout the Howard era for political and personal reasons, with position instead going to by people with little ability other than world-class obsequiousness.
Given shadow Immigration Minister, Senator Chris Ellison, has announced his retirement, Petro Georgiou would fit neatly into that role. With Labor’s Immigration Minister Chris Evans also performing well so far, we could finally have some high quality debate and critical thinking in this crucial area of public policy.
It won’t happen, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t.
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Mr Bartlett… your thoughts on a good candidate for new Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate?
As far as the reshuffle in the Senate goes (and I’m sure you’d agree with me that that house is the important one). I think the Liberals have some good choices for promotion, Senators Payne and Humphries being the ones that spring to mind immediately. I think there’s relatively little chance of either being promoted too high but it’s always fun to imagine how things could change…
I agree that Payne (who is already a shadow Parl Sec, but should be higher) and Humphries would both perform capably. Russell Trood would be another & Brett Mason is probaby overdue being moved higher than a shadow parl Sec position too. There’s at least one current shadow Parl Sec from the Senate who could be dropped without any great loss occuring.
As for a good Manager of Opposition Business – off the top of my head, I’d think Michael Ronaldson would be ideal. George Brandis would be good at it too I expect.
Yes… in any case it’s all very interesting. I’d imagine Senator Trood would not be too good a chance at promotion given his apparent demotion to the (usually) unwinnable 4th spot on the LNP ticket for the next election (and add to that the relatively good chance of a double dissolution election in the next year and a half – Labor really have nothing to lose as far as the Senate numbers go). I’m sure I could name a couple of current shadow parliamentary secretaries who could be easily chopped but I suppose it wouldn’t be too tactful to name them!
As for your suggestion on Michael Ronaldson for Manager of Op Business I think you could be onto something there… all will be clear in the course of the next day in any case.
I strongly disagree, I live in Kooyong and he should first do something in his seat before being given a portfolio, I believe a good MP who serves his/her community should be considered before someone who apart from a few pieces in the Age appears to do very little, I would like to see Petro lift his performance for at present he isn’t a good local MP therefore I feel would not make a good frontbencher.
Of course he can enhance is performance and is a smart operator but up til now I’ve been unimpressed by his effort within his seat of Kooyong, yes I did support his position regarding immigration but apart from that I don’t see him actually doing anything.
I have seen several very good members of parlianment like Bruce Bilson and Kalvin Thompson but I’m very unimpressed with Petro which is a shame for I perfer his moderate views.
No real surprises in the announcement, possibly Coonan taking the shadow foreign affairs spot. I wonder how she will do, any thoughts on her? Minchin was smart, as Crikey noted and thank God that the mad monk didn’t get promoted. Didn’t take Scott Morrisson long either, as far as I can see he seems okay for a Lib. A solid announcement I believe, though a shame about Petro. That would have been clever to put him in immigration on some kind of humanitarian affairs portfolio, a real move from the Howard years.
Hmmm I wonder if any of the new team apart from Mr Turnbull also hailed from a poverty stricken childhood – Judging by the rush to claim the “from humble beginnings” trophy as witnessed by both Mr Rudd and Mr Turnbull, I would have thought that it would be a major accreditation for selection to any new look team.
Andrew Robb is from Reservoir!
I would have liked Senator Marie Paynes placed ahead of Senator Coonan
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