[Peetwo]

From the ABC...(and facebook!)

Barnaby Joyce set to become infrastructure minister in Cabinet reshuffle
By political reporter Lucy Barbour

Tue 19 Dec 2017, 6:26am



Photo: The move will give Mr Joyce control of the inland rail project. (ABC News: Marco Catalano)
Related Story: Brandis off to London, sparking pre-Christmas Cabinet reshuffle

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is expected to take on the infrastructure portfolio when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces his Cabinet reshuffle, as early as today.

The Nationals leader currently has responsibility for agriculture, but has been eyeing off the infrastructure job for months.

The move will give him control of the Federal Government's multi-billion-dollar inland rail project.

Mr Joyce would take the job from Victorian Nationals heavyweight Darren Chester, who has been a strong supporter of same-sex marriage and pushed for more women to take on senior positions in the party.

It is not yet clear who will become agriculture minister or whether Mr Chester will remain in Cabinet.

National Farmers' Federation chief executive Tony Mahar would not speculate on likely candidates to replace Mr Joyce, but said the reshuffle was "pretty bloody important".

"Looking forward, if we're going to be a $100 billion industry, it's got to be somebody that has the capacity and the willingness to go into bat on all of these issues that we know are going to allow us to take that next step," he said.

Tension on the track



The Melbourne-to-Brisbane inland rail line is touted as a nation-building infrastructure project that will bring huge benefits to the bush. But the $10 billion venture won't save all the dying, tiny towns along its route.

New Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie will be catapulted from the backbench into Cabinet and has been heavily involved in senate inquiries into agriculture issues in the past.

Senator McKenzie's promotion meant there were three Victorian Nationals in senior positions — which angered some Queenslanders in the party.

The Nationals lost a seat in Parliament when Ms Nash was disqualified by the High Court, but the party is confident it will retain five cabinet spots in the reshuffle.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter is tipped to become the attorney-general and regional Liberal Dan Tehan looks set to be promoted to Cabinet.

& also via the Oz:

Conservative Liberals the big winners in Turnbull’s reshuffle


Christian Porter will replace George Brandis as attorney-general. Picture: Kym Smith

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...Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce will, as revealed by The Australian, take over the critical transport and infrastructure portfolios from Victorian Nationals MP Darren Chester in an attempt to boost the government’s stocks in regional Australia.

There was speculation last night that Mr Chester would be dumped from cabinet by Mr Joyce to make way for another Nationals MP, with the junior Coalition partner set to retain its quota of five cabinet positions. This would leave Mr Joyce, who has ultimate say over which Nationals MPs go into cabinet, to try to resolve demands by the Queensland Nationals for greater representation...

Excellent catch Cap'n...   Maybe (or maybe not) MT and BJ have finally realised how much of a liability the 'photogenic filter' 6D AGAD Chester truly is?

While on the subject of deckchair shuffles on the HMAS (Titanic) Turnbull I note that yesterday, with the standard no fanfare for matters aviation safety, 6D AGAD put out this presser...

Key Appointments to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Media Release
DC448/2017
18 December 2017

• Ms Jane McAloon appointed as new member to the Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
  
• Ms Anita Taylor re-appointed to the Board
  
• Appointments maintain safety and aviation industry experience on the CASA Board, whilst enhancing governance expertise
  

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester today announced appointments to provide support and stability to the operations of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Mr Chester said the appointment of Ms Jane McAloon as a Board member will bring a wealth of relevant Board and governance experience to the role, including working in regulated industries in the public and private sector in transport and infrastructure.

Ms Anita Taylor's re-appointment will retain general aviation industry and financial management experience on the Board including in her capacity as Chair of the Board Audit Committee.

“These appointments will support critical reforms underway at CASA, and completion of the remaining parts of CASA's regulatory reform program,” Mr Chester said.

“A further Board member with aviation experience is also expected to be announced early in 2018.

“I would like to thank Mr Ian Smith AM and Mr Murray Warfield for their valuable contribution to the CASA Board over the past three years.

“I look forward to the Board continuing to set the strategic direction of CASA, while also working with the diverse aviation sector to maintain Australia's strong safety record,” Mr Chester said.

More information about the Civil Aviation Safety Authority is available at www.casa.gov.au.

  
No idea what it all means, other than hopefully the last hurrah for Chester, but for those interested here is a short BIO for Ms Jane McAloon:

Ms Jane F. McAloon - BEc (Hons), LLB, GDipGov, FAICD, FCIS Jane brings a wealth of commercial experience from her work in highly regulated industries including rail, energy, infrastructure and resources sectors. In her executive career, Jane held senior executive positions at BHP Billiton and AGL, as well as in NSW State Government.

Current Directorships:

• Director: EnergyAustralia Holdings Limited (from 2012)
  
• Member: Monash University Industry Council of Advisers (from 2014)
  
• Member: Referendum Council (from 2015)
  
• Director: Australian Defence Force Assistance Trust (from 2015)
  
• Director: Cosgate Ltd (from 2017)
  
• National Chair: Defence Reserves Support Council (from 2017)
  

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[b]Former Directorships include[/b][/size][/size]

• Member: Australian War Memorial Council (2011 – 2014)
  
• Member: Australian Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee (2011 – 2013)
  

MTF...P2