Labor has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of using the Government Services and National Disability Insurance Scheme portfolios as a “clearing house for duds of his cabinet”.
On Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison which included moving Stuart Robert from the Government Services and NDIS portfolios to the Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business portfolios.
Linda Reynolds, the outgoing defence minister after her alleged rape in Parliament House, is set to replace Mr Robert, who had been embroiled in controversy himself before taking the Government Services and NDIS portfolios.
Prior to his appointment in 2019, Mr Robert resigned from Malcolm Turnbull’s cabinet . In 2018, he was also forced to repay .
While in charge of the portfolios Mr Robert hit the headlines for and costly COVIDSafe app, , pushing ahead with hugely contentious NDIS reforms , and .
On Tuesday, Labor’s government services and NDIS spokesperson Bill Shorten said it appeared Senator Reynolds had been “punished” for her “lying cow” comments by being handed the Government Services and NDIS portfolios.
“The Morrison government cannot shuffle its way out of its horrendous record on giving a stuff about working people and caring for Australians who are most at risk and need the most support,” he said in a statement.
“When will the Morrison government stop treating the critical portfolios of Government Services and the NDIS as the clearing house for duds of [the] cabinet?”
After announcing the reshuffle, Mr Morrison was asked by ABC journalist Andrew Probyn about Mr Robert’s new role in cabinet.
“How does this bloke get more responsibility in your reshuffle?” he asked, listing some of the past controversies surrounding Mr Robert.
Mr Morrison replied: “Because he's done an outstanding job in the one that he's been doing.”
“And you know when someone does a good job like that, then they show that they can take on responsibility, they can get things done.”
In a statement following the reshuffle announcement, Mr Robert said his time in the Government Services and NDIS portfolios “has been both rewarding and challenging”.
“The NDIS is now available everywhere across Australia. There are now over 430,000 Australians in the Scheme,” he said.
“I am incredibly proud of transformation in Services Australia towards delivering a simple, helpful, respectful and transparent service for all Australians.”
He said access decisions to the NDIS are now being made faster, and the average time it takes to speak to someone from Centrelink on the phone has also sped up.
He also congratulated Senator Reynolds on her new appointment.
“I am confident Senator Reynolds will continue to deliver on the Morrison government's priority to guarantee the essential services Australians rely on,” he said.
Senator Reynolds is on health leave and is expected back on 2 April.
Mr Morrison on Monday conceded Senator Reynolds’ “lying cow” slur was an “intemperate remark made at the wrong time” but said she “will do an outstanding job” in her new role.
“She has previously served on the committee for the NDIS and knows those issues extremely well. She's a very good operational minister,” he said.
“Taking responsibility for government services and the continued rollout of programs I think will fit her skills and talents well.”
