Angus Taylor has given moderate MP Tim Wilson the treasury portfolio and brought the Nationals back into shadow cabinet, in a frontbench lineup that rewards conservatives and purges some of Sussan Ley\u2019s backers.<\/p>\n
Days after becoming Liberal leader<\/a>, Taylor promised that his new shadow ministry \u2013 announced on Tuesday \u2013 would improve living standards and \u201cprotect\u201d Australia\u2019s way of life.<\/p>\n The deputy Liberal leader, Senator Jane Hume<\/a>, has chosen the employment and industrial relations portfolio, and will lead the party\u2019s economic team alongside Wilson. Conservative leadership aspirant Andrew Hastie has been given the new industry and sovereign capability portfolio, and was appointed deputy leader in the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Taylor has also rewarded key backers, with Sarah Henderson given the communications portfolio and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to be shadow minister for skills and training. Henderson and Price had made no secret of their aspirations to return to the frontbench in the lead-up to Friday\u2019s leadership spill.<\/p>\n Jonno Duniam, a key Taylor ally, retains the home affairs portfolio and also receives immigration. Senior conservative senator Michaelia Cash remains as shadow attorney-general, while James Paterson moves from finance to defence.<\/p>\n Despite the deputy leader of the party sitting in the upper house, Cash has retained the role of leader of the opposition in the Senate.<\/p>\n Sign up: AU Breaking News email<\/a><\/p>\n The Tasmanian senator Claire Chandler was one of the big winners, elevated to shadow finance minister, opposite Labor\u2019s Katy Gallagher. Victorian Aaron Violi will enter the shadow ministry and have responsibility for science, technology and digital economy in the new line-up. Conservative Phil Thompson has been promoted to shadow cabinet, in charge of defence personnel and defence industry.<\/p>\n Announcing his new frontbench in Sydney, Taylor said: \u201cThis is a team that blends proven experience with the next generation of Coalition<\/a> talent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe team is designed to do two key things. One, prosecute Labor\u2019s failures \u2026 and two, ensure the Coalition is ready to govern and change Australia for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n Ted O\u2019Brien, who held the treasury portfolio under Ley, will take on foreign affairs, while Dan Tehan retains energy, and has added manager of opposition business to his responsibilities.<\/p>\n The Nationals have also been re-allocated their portfolios after the Coalition split, returning to the shadow ministry several weeks earlier than negotiated under Ley.<\/p>\n