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!

 

[Leenie]

Tell all of the residents in northern Queensland that climate change is BS and you might just get flattened.

We have had many floods ,this just happens to worse ,climate change has nothing to do with it ,same as bush fires because the greenies blocked clearing the yearly build up in bush land. Climate change is just a money making racket for the elites who are taking the country backwards and putting lives at risk.

 

[Leenie]

Wow, I fully agree with Beany....I see Trump as nothing more than a narcissistic up start fool...and Dutton is the same...Labour is getting things changed and improved...YES it takes time and careful planning to correct the damage that was left from the previous government....WE ARE AUSTRALIANS..NOT AMERICANS...WHY FOLLOW THEM...
Hey Dutton follower's are you prepared to have a nuclear power station in your back yard???

Yes.

 

[GoodEnough]

Of course it’s a good move! The federal public service is very bloated and inefficient, full of high paid employees who add nothing to productivity, but are only there to enforce ideological campaigns like DEI. Time to focus on front line staff and reduce useless high paid managers and executives. Go Peter and Jacinta!

How do you know the federal public service is very bloated and inefficient? Did Sky News tell you? Nine News? Seven? Your local Murdoch paper?

 

[GoodEnough]

We have had many floods ,this just happens to worse ,climate change has nothing to do with it ,same as bush fires because the greenies blocked clearing the yearly build up in bush land. Climate change is just a money making racket for the elites who are taking the country backwards and putting lives at risk.

How did the greenies block anything? They're not in government anywhere. Yours is a standard right wing lie.

 

[Wavemaster]

$6billion for 36000 new public servants in Canberra and for what apart from reducing Labour's national unemployment result!
Peter Dutton makes good sense. It's well and truly time for Albo and his band of merry useless "hangers-on" to quickly fade into obscurity.

 

[GoodEnough]

You are right, the author must be a lefties.

How outrageous of her!

 

[Leenie]

We have had many floods ,this just happens to worse ,climate change has nothing to do with it ,same as bush fires because the greenies blocked clearing the yearly build up in bush land. Climate change is just a money making racket for the elites who are taking the country backwards and putting lives at risk.

By the way I am a Queenslander.

 

[GoodEnough]

With luck, by the time our election rolls around, Trump will have so effed up things in the US that Dutton will have to think of something new, all by himself.

 

[Jo Piper3]

I'm no fan of anything Frump inspired

 

[Leenie]

The Liberal cuts to the public service were a big con. They made people redundant with the usual large payouts and then re-hired them as 'consultants', at greater cost . They then didn't count in the number of public servants. Talk about smoke and mirrors. They also paid billions to the big 4 accountancy firms for advice, most of which could have been provided by the public service if it hadn't been gutted. The 36,000 'extra', public servants are existing workers from agencies, working in government departments, who have been converted to full public service status, thus saving considerable money. The federal public service is not bloated and inefficient: Please justify your statement with facts. DEI is not an idealogical campaign but an attempt to give people who are disadvantaged, for some reason, the chance to participate in society and to enjoy the benefits that we who are more fortunate enjoy. Trump has pushed a divisive hate filled narrative that is causing considerable harm to minorities and those less able to push back. Would you like to have the U.S. system of labour laws with a week of annual leave, being able to be sacked without reason at any time, minimum wages below poverty levels et al. For some reason conservatives seem to hate seeing the lower rungs of society receive anything but are happy for the richer people to increase their wealth at everyone else's expense. Trump lies and bullies which Dutton seems to be emulating in a more nuanced manner: not outright lies but not the full story so as to give twisted support to his views. Conservatives push tax cuts, for the wealthy which means less revenue, deficits and increased government borrowing. The nine years of the last Liberal/Nationals government resulted in $750 billion in federal government debt. Great managers. Has Jacinta Price got any qualifications for the role she has been given? Does she know how the public service works and how it facilitates the orderly running of our economy and society? What are her qualifications?

Do a little research and you will find out.

 

[Morgans Orchard]

Trump was going to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in a day too last I heard it could be 6 months , and as for pardoning the criminals that stormed the White House and police officer killed and one seriously wounded . Guess you don’t have family employed in this position.

 

[Leenie]

What we're talking about here is Labor's efforts to attempt to repair the public service i.e. repair our govt after years of disastrous economic mismanagement, misplaced ideological straitjacketing and sheer corruption masquerading as privatisation by the LNP, big media and our oligarchs. Out of control spending on private con jobs by LNP mates taking over public service roles sent us careering into the mess the Libs left us with: impossible housing issues, pay rates left in the dust by galloping inflation, pretend private companies with no oversight, and just plain old incompetence. The fact that public service wait times have decreased by up to 80% for pensioners and others relying on their efficiency, and payments have begun to be restored for some of our dispossessed (though still way below a livable rate), is clear proof that it's working.
USA basic wage meanwhile remains on $7.50hr (many of their poor have 3 jobs and their kids still go hungry), the country is a basket case, and the Trumpster crowd's solution is to deport those workers, not raise their workers' pittance.
Our current gov may have let the rabid Right stupidly pressure their international policies, particularly with military issues, but they are steadily improving life for everyday Australians. The inanity of Dutton and his cohort are still the best electoral arrow in Labor's quiver.

And do quite well with TIPS

 

[Aralia]

It's a big con. Being a partner of a public
servant who often works ten hours days with no overtime and is unsupported with a staff member she needs but doesn't have. Burn out is already happening and it's only the start of February.

If it is too much for her she can always leave or take a lower position. Oh hold on pay packet much less either way. No one is forcing you to stay. Public servants are so overpaid compared to the private sector.

 

[Leenie]

How did the greenies block anything? They're not in government anywhere. Yours is a standard right wing lie.

They did with their mates in the labor party.

 

[Leenie]

How do you know the federal public service is very bloated and inefficient? Did Sky News tell you? Nine News? Seven? Your local Murdoch paper?

The same happened in Queensland,bloated public service

 

[Sherril54]

If you are referring to

yep she was Deputy mayor in Alice springs and is quite capable of doing the job assigned to her .

For 6 months.

 

[Leenie]

How did the greenies block anything? They're not in government anywhere. Yours is a standard right wing lie.

So you know more about me than I do ,making assumptions

 

[DLHM]

Well that's a small world. My brother in law drove trains for Hammersley. They owned a house at Karratha.

I lived in Tom Price from 1975 -1979. The Hammersley houses were all rentals at that time.

 

[Barbara V]

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

You must be joking ,he has no policies he just plucks them out of the air

 

[Barbara V]

With luck, by the time our election rolls around, Trump will have so effed up things in the US that Dutton will have to think of something new, all by himself.

Agree