TASMANIA could become the only state to be unrepresented in the federal cabinet if Employment Minister Eric Abetz lost his portfolio under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
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Tasmanian Liberal Party president Geoff Page has urged Mr Turnbull to include Senator Abetz in his new cabinet, reminding him how crucial Tasmania was at winning the 2013 election.
Speculation over which ministers will remain in cabinet is mounting, with an announcement expected this week.
Senator Abetz, who was a strong public backer of former Liberal leader Tony Abbott, is Tasmania’s only federal minister.
He told the Senate on Tuesday Mr Turnbull had his full support.
‘‘At all times I have supported the parliamentary leader as elected by my colleagues and as colleague would know my motto is when you win you don’t gloat, when you lose you don’t moan, you get on with the task of delivering good government for the people of Australia,’’ Senator Abetz said.
‘‘The king is dead, long live the king, and the Prime Minister has our support,’’ he said.
Mr Page said it was essential Tasmania had an ‘‘effective and respected voice’’ in the new cabinet.
‘‘With some of the biggest swings in the country, Tasmania delivered strong support for the Coalition and that should not be forgotten,’’ Mr Page said.
‘‘Senator Eric Abetz has been a very strong performer since the Coalition came to government in 2013 in the difficult portfolio of employment, as well as being the Leader of the Government in the Senate,’’ he said.
It’s understood all seven Tasmanian Liberal MPs backed Mr Abbott, including government whip and Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic who called on members to be unified.
Mr Nikolic’s position as whip is now at Mr Turnbull’s discretion.
He said he wanted to continue serving the party and Parliament in any way he could.
‘‘Tasmania has done very well under the prime ministership of Tony Abbott and I will continue working hard to ensure that Tasmania does very well under the prime ministership of Malcolm Turnbull,’’ Mr Nikolic said.
Senate whip and Tasmanian Senator David Bushby, who was voted to the position of whip by the Senate party room, said he had no intention of resigning, despite backing Mr Abbott.
‘‘I am strongly of the view that Tasmania should maintain its strong representation in cabinet and the outer ministry, as a reflection of the faith Tasmanian voters placed in the Coalition by sending more federal members to Canberra than any other party in Tasmania,’’ he said.
