FORMER Canberra Liberals leader Jeremy Hanson, has been banished to the backbench of his party in a reshuffle of the shadow cabinet.
On Monday, his most recent role of deputy leader was lost in a surprise party room spill of his position. Yerrabi member Leanne Castley was elected to the deputy.
There has been no backbench among elected Liberal members since before Zed Seselja was Liberal leader. All members were typically allocated shadow portfolios, until now.
Hanson, the former education and police spokesman, is joined on the backbench by Elizabeth Kikkert, until now families, youth and community services, and prevention of domestic and family violence shadow.
In announcing the reshuffle Liberal leader Elizabeth Lee pointedly said she had assembled a team that she could “trust” to put forward a strong alternate vision for Canberra heading towards October’s ACT election.
She would take on the education portfolio, while James Milligan would add police to his emergency services portfolio along with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
Families, youth and community services, and prevention of domestic and family violence would go to Leanne Castley and Mark Parton would take corrections.
Nicole Lawder – who will not contest the 2024 election – will keep all her portfolios and take veterans affairs. Assistant shadow ministers have been appointed to all her portfolios, another move without precedent.
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