Malcolm Turnbull has attempted to hose down talk of an end-of-year ministerial reshuffle, without actually ruling it out, arguing the current lineup is delivering results.
The prime minister was asked on Tuesday morning whether he was planning to reshuffle his frontbench before Christmas, following considerable speculation that he would do so.
Tony Abbott is continuing to campaign for a return to cabinet despite his regular overtures being rebuffed by the prime minister and other senior frontbenchers.
The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, used the final caucus meeting of the year to declare the prime minister would use the looming Christmas break to sideline the attorney general George Brandis.
Shorten said he didn’t believe the prime minister had the “guts” to dump “the most accident-prone and incompetent minister in an accident-prone and incompetent government” while parliament was still sitting.
“But as soon as the Christmas turkey goes in the oven, George Brandis will be cooked.”
Shorten pointed out that Turnbull had sidelined two ministers during the last summer break, Mal Brough and Jamie Briggs. “Between Christmas and new year, when no one is watching, out they go with the rest of the Christmas rubbish.”
Turnbull did not rule out a reshuffle before the end of the year, but took the opportunity to launch a defence of his team.
The prime minister hurled off a list of legislative achievements since the July election – the omnibus savings bill, the registered organisations legislation, the superannuation package that passed last week.
“Look at my frontbench and what they have delivered. Look at the cabinet, at what they have delivered,” Turnbull told reporters on Tuesday morning. “We are delivering. The 45th parliament is working.
“We have, I have, an excellent ministry. I am delighted with the work that my colleagues are undertaking. It is measured by results. The results are building up and we are delivering.”
Turnbull picked up that message to reporters in the final joint party room meeting for 2016, delivering a seasonal pep talk for colleagues.
“When we wrap up the parliament this week for the summer vacation, for the Christmas vacation, all of us will be able to go back to our electorates and say we came to you in the election with an economic plan,” the prime minister said.
“We laid it out. We sought your support and you returned us to government and we are delivering.
“We are getting the runs on the board. We are defying the critics. We are delivering, the 45th parliament is working, the government is governing, the government is leading, the government is delivering on its promises.”
