Speculation About Federal Ministerial Reshuffle

In his column in The Bulletin this week, Laurie Oakes discusses nervousness among federal ministers over the possibility of a reshuffle in the coming months. There is continuing speculation about the possible retirement of the Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Jocelyn Newman, whose departure could be used to shake-up the ministry in preparation for the election.

Oakes says that moderates in the Liberal Party are concerned about suggestions that the Senate leader, Robert Hill, and the Attorney-General, Daryl Williams, may be moved. Whilst Howard's natural cautiousness may result in only a limited reshuffle, Oakes says there is a belief that he may be planning something more extensive:

"He is said to have canvassed the idea of a new super-portfolio dealing with IT as the centrepiece. According to one Liberal source, the prime minister has become deeply interested in information technology. An indication of this is his enthusiastic use of a small handheld computer these days to keep track of his itinerary. Another is the way he has been affected by meetings with the chief executives of top international IT companies visiting Australia for the Olympics. 'The messages he's getting about information technology issues from these meetings have blown him away,' says one source. 'And it all ties in with trying to do something about the Aussie dollar's woes.'"

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