After a nervous week of waiting, Sussan Ley says she is “absolutely delighted” to keep her health and sport portfolios in the latest cabinet reshuffle.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Her position was sealed by a phone call with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, where he agreed she should continue the work she began after her appointment during the last reshuffle in December.
“The prime minister rang me (Sunday) morning and we had a chat and I said I’d like to keep my portfolios,” she said after Sunday’s announcement.
“It’s always a difficult week when the changes happen, but we’re really dedicated to what we’re doing in the heath portfolio.”
She said the waiting was easier when she focused on the fact she would still represent constituents of Farrer.
After just nine months in the role, the minister has plenty of unfinished business.
Current reviews of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Taskforce and Primary Health Care Advisory Group are due to report to the Federal Government by the end of the year.
Ms Ley said she set up these reviews for any minister to continue with if needed.
“I’ve always taken the approach that it’s not about me,” she said.
Not all ministers were as lucky as Ms Ley, with Joe Hockey and Eric Abetz among the notable figures who are no longer in cabinet.
“It’s always difficult when some members of the cabinet who were performing well have to step aside,” Ms Ley said.
She would not elaborate on the names of those members.
Previously the new kid in cabinet, Ms Ley said she still feels part of the theme of renewal that Mr Turnbull presented in Sunday’s announcement.
She already had her first event with Mr Turnbull as prime minister this week, welcoming the Australian women’s cricket team home after its Ashes success.
Mr Ley would not reveal whether she voted for Mr Turnbull or Tony Abbott in last week’s leadership spill, but gave her support to the new prime minister.
“I think he’s done a good job so far,” she said.
