One of the wonderful follow-on effects from today’s political insanity is that Malcolm Turnbull‘s frontbench has basically almost entirely resigned. That means the various ministries are vacant. The House of Representatives has been adjourned until next month, but the Senate is still sitting – meaning that someone needs to answer questions about the relevant portfolios.
Simon Birmingham now leads the government in the Senate, and he’s basically been forced to allocate a number of portfolios to the very small number of ministers who are left. Basically its him, Marise Payne and Nigel Scullion, and they’ve somehow had to saddle the responsibility to answer volleys from the Opposition between themselves.
Birmo is trying, though!
.@Birmo: In relation to the tax cuts delivered to Australians, I want to pay tribute to the work of @TurnbullMalcolm and the work of @ScottMorrisonMP, but importantly to the work of @MathiasCormann as well.
FULL COVERAGE: @Foxtel channel 103 & https://t.co/oesWYFwXPH #auspol pic.twitter.com/jj5OricMh6
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) August 23, 2018
Birmingham is also trying to underline what he argues is the government’s record of achievement, even as Rome burns. Such achievements, by his own measure, include same-sex marriage, balancing the budget and lower taxes. “What matters most to the people of Australia are policies and outcomes,” he said.
Given the insane chaos – and obvious difficulty in three ministers trying to cover the government’s entire mission, on portfolios they’re not really across – it’s maybe unsurprising that Labor moved a motion of no confidence. Penny Wong pointed out the absolute chaos:
It is very clear from Question Time today that Australia does not have a functioning government. Australia does not have a functioning government. We have a rabble. A rabble of self important people masquerading as the representatives of Australia.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy asked the question on everyone’s lips: who the fuck is running the government now, and what portfolios do they hold? Obviously no one really knows.
“How many ministers currently serve in the Liberal National government?” McCarthy asked. “Who are they? And what are their portfolios?”
Folks! There’s never been a better time to be a fan of stable government in this country, if that’s your jam.
