In the Harsh Light of Mornings Reality, We Can ALWAYS depend on those Delicious FRUITS at the "bottom of the barrel"
Paul Austin
December 3, 2010
Ted Baillieu has promoted former Liberal leader Denis Napthine and given deputy Liberal leader Louise Asher a key jobs portfolio as he moves to stamp his government as pro-business.
But environment groups fear Mr Baillieu will walk away from the Brumby government's commitment to big cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria, after the new Premier gave the environment and climate change portfolio to inexperienced frontbencher Ryan Smith.
In a bigger-than-expected reshuffle of his frontbench, Mr Baillieu yesterday created a new Department of Business and Innovation, putting former Kennett government ministers Dr Napthine and Ms Asher in charge of creating more jobs as the state economy recovers after the global financial crisis.
Advertisement: Story continues below The biggest surprise in the cabinet line-up is the demotion of ambitious frontbencher and former Peter Costello adviser Michael O'Brien, who has lost the economic portfolios of exports, trade and infrastructure, and is left with the relatively minor title of Minister for Gaming, Consumer Affairs and Energy and Resources.
As revealed in The Age yesterday, Nationals deputy leader Peter Walsh gets the crucial water portfolio - despite Mr Baillieu before the election repeatedly saying it would be shared with Ms Asher.
The 22-member cabinet - two bigger than the Brumby ministry - was sworn in at Government House yesterday afternoon, five days after the Coalition's shock election win. It includes five Nationals and only four women.
The new Premier yesterday ruled out any cleanout of Victoria's public service chiefs, saying the Coalition intended to retain all the department heads who served under Labor.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-promotes-lib-exleader-20101202-18i79....Old Denis "mothballs" Napthaline ?
WTF !! ???
(google him for his hugely successful career path)
Have the Victorian Liberals nurtured NO new talent over the last DECADE ?
I'm SO glad I'm "out of the loop"