It has been described as a "surprisingly poor" year for Tony Abbott, with 2014 called "untidy" and "bruising" for the government. The Prime Minister started the year aiming to run a stable, steady, administration; instead it has been 12 months of policy confusion, broken promises, an unresolved budget, and a precipitous drop in his personal approval. Wide gaps emerged between the conservative ideology of many of the government's key players and the hopes and expectations of most Australians. The main areas of disconnection emerged around education, health, and support for the needy and for families. The federal budget brought down by Treasurer Joe Hockey was regarded as unfair and unbalanced, which contributed to a massive swing against the government in opinion polls and within the Liberal Party itself.
In an attempt to revive his government's flagging fortunes, Mr Abbott on Sunday announced several changes to his cabinet. The foremost move has been the elevation of Scott Morrison to a new "super-sized" social services portfolio. The former immigration minister will take on responsibility for one of the biggest areas of government spending and in his new role is intended to "put jobs and families at the heart of our political agenda for 2015", Mr Abbott said.
These are fine and noble sentiments and we fervently hope Mr Morrison is able to perform his duties with compassion and wisdom in his "core goals" of moving more Australians off welfare and into work.
Mr Morrison has been praised in the media this week as "formidable and fearless" and "a star performer". It may be said, however, that his key noteworthy accomplishment was in managing the government's Operation Sovereign Borders and its pledge to "stop the boats". In that capacity, Mr Morrison was frequently truculent and secretive; he must be mindful that neither is a desirable attribute when dealing with society's most vulnerable individuals. His new mantra needn't be to "stop the bludgers".
Elsewhere in the new-look Abbott frontbench, hapless defence minister David Johnston has been demoted, his portfolio going to Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews. Mr Johnston has been called "lacklustre" and has generally failed to get to grips with this notoriously difficult ministry. In this context we wonder why it has taken so long to move him from the job; indeed, why he was given the portfolio in the first place.
Mr Andrews is regarded as "a safe pair of hands" who will avoid the gaffes that plagued his predecessor. But this crucial cabinet position is in urgent need of strong, capable leadership. After it was revealed yesterday that Mr Andrews had once professed "no interest in defence issues", we question if he is up to the challenge.
Another noteworthy promotion is that of Sussan Ley, moving to the frontbench as Minister for Health and Sport. The first challenge to face Ms Ley will be negotiating a healthcare funding strategy, particularly the contentious $5 cut to the Medicare rebate paid for GP visits by non-concessional patients. Also, as the gender imbalance of Mr Abbott's cabinet continues to draw criticism, the Prime Minister continues to stress that all his appointments are made on merit. If this is true, we hold grave concerns for the Coalition if only two women are perceived as being capable of holding cabinet-level jobs.
We welcome Mr Abbott's efforts to redress weaknesses in his government. Some bright new faces have emerged in key roles and poor performers have been moved aside. We hope the overall outcome is a government more in tune with the wishes of the electorate.