Feb. 14, 2014, 12:34 p.m.
Howard-era finance minister Nick Minchin has been appointed to replace former Victorian premier Steve Bracks as consul-general in New York.
In his role as behind the scenes "power broker" - it was Nick Minchin who orchestrated the ousting of former leader Malcolm Turnbull, replacing him with Tony Abbott
The appointment, first flagged by Fairfax Media in September last year, comes after Mr Bracks was dumped from the role as one of the first acts of the then incoming Coalition government.
Then incoming Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop instructed Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Peter Varghese to sack Mr Bracks after the Coalition won the election in September and days before the former premier had been due to fly out to take up his role.
Ms Bishop said the former Howard cabinet minister is expected to take up the role in April.
Mr Minchin, 60, was a senator from South Australia from 1993 to 2011 and held several posts in the Howard government, including finance minister. He was instrumental in the then Coalition opposition changing its stance on supporting an emissions trading scheme proposed by the then Rudd government.
He has been contacted for comment.
Mr Bracks issued a statement this morning wishing Mr Minchin every success.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2088676/liberal-powerbroker-nick-minchin-appo...