With the Federal Elections underway, Australia has yet to choose new leaders that could lead the nation.

In a move that has caught everyone's attention, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has reshuffled his front bench and introduced a role straight out of another politician's playbook.

The government efficiency portfolio is aimed at streamlining government operations and cutting down on wasteful spending.

The newly-minted concept echoed United States President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency initiative.

At a press conference in Cairns, Dutton announced that MP David Coleman would be stepping in as shadow Foreign Affairs Minister.

MP Coleman will be taking over the retiring Senator Simon Birmingham.

Peter Dutton will be participating in this year's Federal Election. Image Credit: Facebook/Peter Dutton

However, his revelation of the government efficiency portfolio turned many heads.

This portfolio was not an official agency but rather represented a push towards fiscal conservatism and operational streamlining.

Dutton revealed his choice of manager for this portfolio.

He named Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price as his shadow Minister for Government Efficiency on top of her duty as the shadow Minister of Indigenous Australians.

Price has been a vocal opponent of the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Her new role could see her applying a similar scrutiny to government spending and efficiency.

During the announcement, Dutton highlighted the perceived excesses of the current government.

'Six billion dollars a year spent on 36,000 new public servants in Canberra that are of no assistance whatsoever to the people of Cairns, and the people of regional communities who want additional investment,' Dutton lamented.

Dutton and his team have positioned themselves as the champions of the taxpayer, as they promised to redirect resources to where they believe they are most needed.

The reshuffle also saw other significant changes, with NSW MP Melissa McIntosh taking over the communications portfolio from Coleman.

Meanwhile, Senator Claire Chandler stepped into government services and the digital economy, and South Australian MP Tony Pasin took on roads and road safety.

In addition, NSW MP Julian Leeser and Senator Matt O'Sullivan have been appointed as shadow assistant ministers in foreign affairs and education, respectively.

Senator Kerrynne Liddle joined in as the shadow minister for Indigenous Health Services, in addition to her roles in Child Protection and Prevention of Family Violence.

Queensland MP Ted O'Brien should now be the shadow minister for Energy Affordability and Reliability, effectively complementing his Climate Change and Energy portfolios.

Lastly, MP Michael Sukkar has assumed the position of Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives.

This reshuffle was more than just introducing new faces and titles; it was a preparation for the coming Federal Election.

'It's time for us to have a change of government in this country, to get our country back on track, and part of that is to rebuild international relations,' Dutton emphasised.

Watch Peter Dutton's full speech here:

Source: Sky News Australia/YouTube​

The introduction of the government efficiency portfolio, in particular, signalled a commitment to fiscal responsibility and a leaner government.

Whether this reshuffle would translate into electoral success remains to be seen.

For now, Dutton and his team's bold moves could redefine their party's image and priorities.

Key Takeaways

• Peter Dutton introduced a new front bench role, the 'government efficiency' portfolio.
• Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is announced as the shadow minister for the new government efficiency role.
• The new department should reduce government waste, similar to a concept introduced by United States President Donald Trump.
• Peter Dutton also announced several reshuffles in their roles.

What do you think of this new role and the reshuffle? Do you believe that a focus on government efficiency can make a significant difference, or is it just political posturing? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below—we'd love to hear from our savvy seniors on this intriguing political development!

 

[Mickeyd1954]

don't believe it for one moment

try running a business like we did, borrowing money to do so , paying wages sick leave holiday pay long service leave etc etc

that's what stress is ... how many public servants have ever done that?

I'll tell what a great con is ....pubic servants now called beaurocrats getting paid more than the Prime Minister and Premiers of this country

I'll repeat myself ....the sooner Dutton gets in the better

 

[Jen61]

I am Australian, and like many other Australians, I support Trump's policies - which can be applied across the world.

I have to disagree, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[Robbo3006]

If anyone but Dutton was running that party Melissa Macintosh would get my vote, but whilst he's leader of the opposition, they've got Buckley's and none.

 

[NannaKay]

Do you support letting violent criminals out of jail as a political move?

Almost ALL January 6 prisoners were non violent - the only ones who died in the Capitol protest were Trump supporters, killed by Capitol police. Remember the serious criminals Biden pardoned, including one who killed police officers.

 

[Jen61]

don't believe it for one moment

try running a business like we did, borrowing money to do so , paying wages sick leave holiday pay long service leave etc etc

that's what stress is ... how many public servants have ever done that?

I'll tell what a great con is ....pubic servants now called beaurocrats getting paid more than the Prime Minister and Premiers of this country

I'll repeat myself ....the sooner Dutton gets in the better

I agree the public servants at the very top get paid way too much. There has been a push for many years by government that we have to match private sector pay grades to attract the so called best, this had happened under liberal and Labor governments. Out of the last 74 years the Liberals have been in federal government for 50 of those 74 years.

 

[Mr Chips]

What is going on? After Dutton has finished confusing his already confused cabinet, there will be months of government personnel including ministers and Jacinta Price who will be running around like chooks with heads removed wondering just what they are doing!

 

[Jen61]

Almost ALL January 6 prisoners were non violent - the only ones who died in the Capitol protest were Trump supporters, killed by Capitol police. Remember the serious criminals Biden pardoned, including one who killed police officers.

So you won't mention the police that were killed by a protestor or protestors but only mention one officer Biden pardoned

 

[Mr Chips]

I am Australian, and like many other Australians, I support Trump's policies - which can be applied across the world.

There would have to be a mention of great care with this. Trump has already broken a number of his promises, remember, "I will end the war in Ukraine on my first day"! His intentions appear to be good, but he fails in the implementation. He already faces more than a few legal issues with his perchance for displaying his massive signatures. Perhaps that is the only piece of grammar that he is capable of.

 

[Jen61]

What a sad state of affairs that those who have commented are suggesting that we vote for Dutton who is following Trump's ideas. When Liberals were in there was a lot of problems with Health, Education, workers rights, lack of trades people. Labor are trying to improve things and it seems those who want a party in who only looked after the rich are not happy and believe Labor is too slow in getting things done. Remember however they are trying to help make things better and have to try and undo many, many years of Liberal redtape tangled up in pretending to help the australian people.

And they have only been in government for 24 of the last 74 years whereas the Liberals have been for 50 years.

 

[Andrew]

To all you Labourites , you were told it wouldn't be easy under Albanese. Should have listened.

 

[Luckyus]

At my time of life, it really doesn't much matter which party holds the reins and the purse strings. Some times I think that you can take a member from an opposing party if it's to the advantage of the people, as long as it's not a daft bastard Green or bloody Teal.

 

[Leenie]

Do you support letting violent criminals out of jail as a political move?

Labor did ,let out illegals to commit more crimes ,and blocked the deportation of criminals from NZ , I support what Trump is trying to achieve,you don’t have to like him ,at least he is trying to fix the mess old sleepy Joe made ,so good luck to him..

 

[mylittletibbies]

don't believe it for one moment

try running a business like we did, borrowing money to do so , paying wages sick leave holiday pay long service leave etc etc

that's what stress is ... how many public servants have ever done that?

I'll tell what a great con is ....pubic servants now called beaurocrats getting paid more than the Prime Minister and Premiers of this country

I'll repeat myself ....the sooner Dutton gets in the better

I can't speak of today, but when I was young I did a lot of temp office work in many different public service departments.

I could not believe what a slack environment existed in these departments. If private enterprise operated that way they would be out of business.

On one job there were 10 temps. We weren't there to fill in for people who were on holidays, long service etc which was what most temporary work was.

We were there to catch up on the work backlog. While we were there they did a work efficiency assessment.

The temps were putting out more than double the amount of work than their permanent staff who spent half their time swanning around, talking and wasting time. It was obvious many weren't what you would call the most highest skilled workers.

On my dealings with Centrelink today I would say nothing much has.changed.
Over the years I have had three major run ins with them. On two of these occasions I was accused.of fraud. On all cases the error was theirs. Basic stuff ups that shouldn't have been made by a junior office worker but couldn't be sorted out. with some plain.common sense. by the so called superiors in the departments .

Obviously it must be very frustrating for the good workers there. especially the front desk workers who cop the wrath of irate people when they are not the ones making the mistakes.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Almost ALL January 6 prisoners were non violent - the only ones who died in the Capitol protest were Trump supporters, killed by Capitol police. Remember the serious criminals Biden pardoned, including one who killed police officers.

That's just rubbish. did you not watch the riot on TV or did you have your blinkers on.
A situation like that should never happen in what is supposed to be a civilised country.
There's something wrong with you if you think that was acceptable behaviour.

 

[Parrot]

The new Role and reshuffle sounds good let’s hope it works .

 

[Colette 3799]

Of course Dutton will copy Trump. The man has no ideas and policies of his own. So what will happen is he will get voted in and after six weeks everyone will regret their decision to vote for him and we will be stuck with him for three years. It happens with every election. Everyone thinks they are getting someone better but then reality sinks in and you find out you have someone else who is out for themselves and their rich, entitled friends.

 

[Leenie]

I can't speak of today, but when I was young I did a lot of temp office work in many different public service departments.

I could not believe what a slack environment existed in these departments. If private enterprise operated that way they would be out of business.

On one job there were 10 temps. We weren't there to fill in for people who were on holidays, long service etc which was what most temporary work was.

We were there to catch up on the work backlog. While we were there they did a work efficiency assessment.

The temps were putting out more than double the amount of work than their permanent staff who spent half their time swanning around, talking and wasting time. It was obvious many weren't what you would call the most highest skilled workers.

On my dealings with Centrelink today I would say nothing much has.changed.
Over the years I have had three major run ins with them. On two of these occasions I was accused.of fraud. On all cases the error was theirs. Basic stuff ups that shouldn't have been made by a junior office worker but couldn't be sorted out. with some plain.common sense. by the so called superiors in the departments .

Obviously it must be very frustrating for the good workers there. especially the front desk workers who cop the wrath of irate people when they are not the ones making the mistakes.

The same is still happening today

 

[Zorro56]

It seems everyone has forgotten what the Coalition did last time they were in power. Robo debt disaster, sportsrort, ministers flying to Queensland on "GOVERNMEMT business" at tax payers expense and just happens to buy a townhouse while there. A prime Minister who took an overseas holiday while the country burned. Slashed and burned services, especially Centrelink, to the extent that you had to wait 9 months for your online submission was assessed. I personally experieced this. What I have stated is fact, not hearsay, and there are many more examples. I am all in favour of cutting waste, but not to the extent where it cuts services in the frontline who service the needy. The Coalition always look after their fatcat mates and will cut the frontline, and will not touch the bloated senior management. Peter Dutton is a dangerous man, and he is what is stopping me from considering giving the coalition my vote. I know my comments will upset some, but they will only be those with very short memories who have never voted for anyone except the coalition, and those who don't believe in or care about climate change, and if there will be a habitable world for our grandkids. I for one, don't want to live in a country like Donald Trumps America.

 

[mylittletibbies]

The same is still happening today

 

[Iggydi]

I can't speak of today, but when I was young I did a lot of temp office work in many different public service departments.

I could not believe what a slack environment existed in these departments. If private enterprise operated that way they would be out of business.

On one job there were 10 temps. We weren't there to fill in for people who were on holidays, long service etc which was what most temporary work was.

We were there to catch up on the work backlog. While we were there they did a work efficiency assessment.

The temps were putting out more than double the amount of work than their permanent staff who spent half their time swanning around, talking and wasting time. It was obvious many weren't what you would call the most highest skilled workers.

On my dealings with Centrelink today I would say nothing much has.changed.
Over the years I have had three major run ins with them. On two of these occasions I was accused.of fraud. On all cases the error was theirs. Basic stuff ups that shouldn't have been made by a junior office worker but couldn't be sorted out. with some plain.common sense. by the so called superiors in the departments .

Obviously it must be very frustrating for the good workers there. especially the front desk workers who cop the wrath of irate people when they are nit the ones making the mistakes.

I used to work for the public service and it used to frustrate me, the amount of nothing getting done. But if you were good at your job they piled more and more work on you, because they knew it would get done. We had 1 girl in there and when it came time for her to do certain jobs she would go and get coffee for the Directors and the higher ups and I would have to cover for her. Towards the end of my time there I was doing 4 different jobs for 4 different departments and they wanted me to sit in their area while I was doing it. Needless to say when they were handing out redundancies I had my hand up. The department I worked in transitioned to the NDIS so the reason for the redundancies.