Scott Morrisons new Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific has added insult to the dumping of her portfolio from the ministry by declaring she has no idea at all why she got the job.
BEVAN: Anne Ruston on the phone line, Assistant Minister for- now International Development and the Pacific- how did you get a gig like that Anne Ruston?
RUSTON: I am not quite sure very exciting new challenge- but no idea at all.
ABC ADELAIDE SUPER WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 2018
In five years in office, the Liberals have cut more than $11 billion from our Overseas Development Assistance budget before Mr Morrison added insult to injury on Sunday by cutting the ministry from his front bench.
Mr Morrison then confirmed how little he cares for the region by snubbing the Pacific Islands Forum starting this weekend in Nauru.
Now his handpicked choice for the downgraded aid and the Pacific portfolio has made clear her own lack of interest in the region by declaring she has no idea why she was chosen for the portfolio.
Earlier this year former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop acknowledged her government needed to demonstrate greater leadership in the Pacific and play our part in ensuring a stable and prosperous region.
Instead, in his first acts as Prime Minister, Mr Morrison has returned to his front bench Peter Dutton, who joked about the impact climate change is having on Pacific Island states, snubbed the regions pre-eminent forum, dropped the portfolio from the ministry, and handpicked for the job a Senator who has declared her own lack of interest in the region.
Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.