Former Nationals leader David Littleproud has been dropped from key shadow portfolios a week after his resignation which elevated Senator Matt Canavan as party leader.
Mr Canavan and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor revealed a shadow cabinet shake up in a joint-statement on Monday.
The changes included prompting former Nationals leader Michael McCormack from the backbench to shadow water and veteran affairs portfolios.
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Mr Littleproud will continue to serve in the team but has been stripped of more prized gigs in place of junior ministry positions.
“I want to thank David Littleproud for his service as our leader for the past four years,” Mr Canavan said.
“It is a tough job and took guts for David to be upfront last week.
“David will continue to serve the Nationals team as shadow minister for emergency services and tourism, both areas that he is well familiar with in his beautiful electorate in western Queensland.
“Susan McDonald fights like hell to protect the jobs and opportunity in our mining industry and Northern Australia.
“Kevin Hogan will take on the shadow assistant treasurer and shadow minister for financial services using his extensive experience in the finance sector to help develop sensible economic policies as part of the Coalition team.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud announcing he was quitting his party’s top job. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
Mr Taylor said the Coalition team would focus relentlessly on protecting Australians’ way of life and restoring their standard of living.
“Australians have endured the biggest collapse in living standards in the developed world and the Coalition is determined to turn that around,” Mr Taylor said.
“I have appointed a strong and experienced team from the Nationals who understand the pressures facing families, farmers, small businesses and regional communities.
“We must unapologetically defend Australian values and ensure our country is once again one of opportunity and aspiration, of freedom and safety.”
