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Real Estate Cars Jobs Dating NewslettersThe Sydney Morning HeraldFederal Politics Political News Political Opinion The Pulse Breaking Politics Video Cartoons The Zone The Sugar HitYou are here: Home Federal Politics Political NewsSearch smh:Search in: Federal PoliticsJudgment day has ministers on edge with some to be sacked, Joe Hockey to surviveDate September 18, 2015 - 7:32PM 108 reading now Comments 189Mark KennyMark KennyChief political correspondentView more articles from Mark KennyFollow Mark on Twitter Tweet Pin It submit to reddit Email article Print Reprints & permissionsTony Abbott's final words from Kirribilli HouseThe former prime minister briefly addresses the media from Kirribilli House, ahead of his departure on Friday night. Vision: Nine News. Autoplay OnOff Video feedback Video settings Abbott offered me Treasurer's role: Morrison Sketch: Morrison 1, Hadley 0 Abbott staffer greets new Prime MInister Turnbull with expletiveTreasurer Joe Hockey is set to survive and be installed in another cabinet post when Malcolm Turnbull names a frontbench team on Sunday, after a near-death experience in which even Tony Abbott had offered to dump him in favour of Scott Morrison in a last-ditch attempt to save himself .But other former Howard government ministers including Kevin Andrews, Ian Macfarlane, and Eric Abetz will probably be shown the door, according to a consensus of several government figures, eagerly awaiting Mr Turnbull's final line-up.Treasurer Joe Hockey appears likely to retain a spot in cabinet under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.Treasurer Joe Hockey appears likely to retain a spot in cabinet under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Photo: Andrew MearesThey will be part of the moves to make way for young talent such as Simon Birmingham, Scott Ryan, and Kelly O'Dwyer, and the elevation of older hands such as Arthur Sinodinos and Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.The reshuffle is Mr Turnbull's first big test as Prime Minister and will be unveiled within hours of the result being known in the Canning byelection.Late opinion polling suggests the leadership switch has markedly improved the Liberals' chances, but a near certain win for the government did not stop the main parties throwing final resources at the fight with Bill Shorten hitting the hustings for Labor and Julie Bishop leading the push for the Liberals.Tony Abbott packs a car before he and Margie leave Kirribilli House for the last time on Friday.Tony Abbott packs a car before he and Margie leave Kirribilli House for the last time on Friday. Photo: Janie BarrettAs much as 10 per cent of the electorate will have cast pre-poll and postal votes before last Monday's explosive events in Canberra, meaning they were not influenced by the controversy and will reflect the government's poorer standing under Mr Abbott's leadership.Mr Hockey, who surprised Turnbull backers by not immediately resigning from the government's chief economic post when Mr Abbott was dumped, has since flagged a willingness to serve in another capacity.Sources close to the process confirmed Mr Turnbull had begun ringing key appointments over Thursday and Friday.Tony Abbott's suits leave Parliament House through the basement on Friday.Tony Abbott's suits leave Parliament House through the basement on Friday. Photo: SuppliedThe insider said despite public friction between Mr Turnbull and Mr Hockey, the Treasurer is now likely to be retained in cabinet as the new Prime Minister looks to heal the wounds of Monday's ferocious leadership showdown.Mr Turnbull is understood to have concluded that for all of the government's faults in economic explanation - a critique he had cited to justify his challenge of Mr Abbott - Mr Hockey is an experienced senior figure with much to offer.Fairfax Media understands he will be replaced in the coveted Treasury post by Social Services Minister Scott Morrison.The right-backed Mr Morrison, who made his name as the Abbott government minister who famously "stopped the boats," revealed on Friday, that he had expressly rejected an offer from a desperate Mr Abbott to run as the then prime minister's deputy on a joint ticket aimed at defeating Mr Turnbull and seeing off Ms Bishop as well.Confirmation of the offer came during a combative interview with the conservative radio host Ray Hadley, in which Mr Morrison first refused, and then angrily agreed to swear on a bible that he had not betrayed Tony Abbott by organising supporters to vote against him."If that's what you need, then we don't have the relationship that I thought we had," a clearly affronted Mr Morrison told the broadcaster in an interview that was at times laughable, and in which Hadley was called "mate" 18 times.Hadley repeatedly claimed that even though Mr Morrison had voted for Mr Abbott, the influential minister had arranged for several of his supporters to swing behind Mr Turnbull, ensuring his victory.The minister, who did not deny he would be promoted to the Treasury in the Turnbull cabinet next week, angrily told Hadley that he was not going to allow his Christian faith to be used "for a stunt for your program".However he later agreed to do it, before the usually chummy regular spot ended in acrimony.The revelation that Mr Abbott attempted to use his loyal Treasurer as a human pawn to save his own skin is another blow to Mr Hockey's morale. But sources in both camps say Mr Hockey has "moved beyond" the traumas of the leadership change and now has a positive attitude and a good chance of staying in the cabinet.According to a senior source, Mr Abbott also attempted to prevail upon Christopher Pyne and Peter Dutton to run as his deputy against Ms Bishop but both declined.Insiders list the possibilities for Mr Hockey as defence, education, or communications. Although one minister said the prospect of Mr Hockey in defence was zero, and tipped Senator Birmingham as a possible communications minister.It is expected to made vacant by the forced retirement of the avowed anti-Turnbull Victorian, Kevin Andrews. Both he and the other likely backbench returnee, Employment Minister Eric Abetz, were seen to campaign publicly for their jobs after Mr Abbott's replacement, despite their trenchant opposition to Mr Turnbull's bid.One Liberal called that behaviour "craven".Mr Andrews, who was the so-called "suicide bomber" who sparked Mr Turnbull's leadership collapse in 2009 while in opposition, cemented his antipathy to the new regime on Monday by agreeing to stand against Ms Bishop for the deputy's spot - a role Ms Bishop has held since 2007.As Mr Abbott's deputy, Ms Bishop was preparing to vote for Mr Abbott in Monday's snap ballot, but switched to Mr Turnbull when she was effectively sacked by Mr Abbott, who summarily declared both leadership positions vacant just after 6pm on Monday.Follow us on Twitter 189 comments Better viewing than any soap opera Commenter Wal Date and time September 18, 2015, 6:06PM What with them tearing at each other's throats and already leaking, the Children's Arm of the party having a punch up, Malcolm being abused by staff with obscenities and falling outs with their propaganda arm the shock jocks, this omelette sure is going to take some unscrambling! And they're running Australia! Commenter rext Date and time September 18, 2015, 6:28PM Malcolm's first big mistake, Hockey is simply incompetent. Commenter Kent Date and time September 18, 2015, 6:56PM Yes. I agree. Perhaps any TV show / play / film linked to the LNP now needs a name? I'd offer 'The Killing Season', or 'Kill Bill', but it seems they've already been made into a TV show and a movie. What about highlighting them with a song? Nah! Stealer's Wheel already did that with 'Stuck in the middle with you'. What about "Frenemy' (surely that is applicable to the LNP)? I know, I know, I know! This one has already been made into a movie too - but it's such a classic - and it is pertinent to what is happening in politics now: "The Emperor's New Groove" (Brief synopsis: Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder) Failing that, the old faithful, "The Muppet's Show" would do quite nicely.... Commenter Jump Date and time September 18, 2015, 7:18PM Kent, I'm no Hockey fan either, but it might be good politics. Just stick him somewhere childproof where he can't break things. Commenter EndYardLimits Location Belmore, NSW Date and time September 18, 2015, 7:35PM Recall in the morning prior to the 2014 Coalition budget when Malcolm Turnbull hit the media tropes aplenty claiming that Hockey could sell old sandshoes and bottle tops.... Turnbull was wrong. Flat out wrong. Joe Hockey's legacy collapsed by that evening and nothing now can save JH's alliance with the Abbott Government and its collective of media boosters whose own salacious hubris claimed the 2014 budget as victory. I have no generosity in excusing Joe Hockey's role in poisoning the political dialogue. He played a preeminent role in excoriating working Australians while being exposed as lazy, arrogant and with a sense of privilege. The end of him was orchestrate by only himself. Commenter dipaha Date and time September 18, 2015, 7:47PM Mr Hockey has been a good and honest Treasurer. However it is clear that many dont like it when the treasurer doesn't hand out unaffordable TV cash payments to bribe those in the electorate who only think of "what do I get" ! Commenter Pistol Pete Date and time September 18, 2015, 9:07PM Yeah laugh it up you lot, I'm looking forward to the next episode of the killing season starring Bill and Tanya. Commenter adrian Date and time September 18, 2015, 9:12PM Is this what our politicians have become these days? ...backstabbing liars ? Commenter Barb Date and time September 18, 2015, 9:40PM And now for the next soapie, the gNats. Reported in Rups rags the title is about to be contested between Truss and Beetroot. Also reporting Nash might get a promotion- mmmm chocolates, mmmmm. Commenter A country gal Date and time September 19, 2015, 12:52AMMore commentsComments are now closed Tweet Pin It submit to reddit Email article Print Reprints & permissionsRelated Coveragenull Tony Abbott's final words from Kirribilli HouseMost popular1 Tony Abbott greets former schoolmates from Riverview Old Ignatians for their 40th anniversary celebrations at Kirribilli House. Tony Abbott and his old boys party at Kirribilli ...Contains:2 A file photo of the then Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's advance team, Richard Dowdy during a visit to the Cadbury factory during the 2013 federal election campaign. Meet Richard Dowdy, the Tony Abbott staffer who ...Contains:3 Treasurer Joe Hockey appears likely to retain a spot in cabinet under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Judgment day has ministers on edge with some to ...Contains:4 Malcolm Turnbull was accompanied by his deputy Julie Bishop (pictured) and wife Lucy, having just delivered his first press conference as Prime Minister, when he had the insult hurled at him. Tony Abbott staffer welcomes new Prime Minister ...Contains:5 Social Services Minister Scott Morrison during a radio interview in the press gallery at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 7 September 2015. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen Scott Morrison: 1. Ray Hadley: 0. And God? We're ...Contains:HuffPost AustraliaheadlineWhy Mike Baird And Julie Bishop Rule Social Media HuffPost Australia external siteheadlineHockey To Survive Cabinet Shakeup, Others Not So Lucky HuffPost Australia external site LATEST VIDEO Federal Politics Videos More video Scott Morrison: 'judge my policies but not my faith' Broadcaster Ray Hadley grills Social Services Minister Scott Morrison over his role in the downfall of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott. (Courtesy of ABC News 24). null Click to play video Joe Hockey's last hurrah? " null Click to play video Nationals MP: voters may punish Liberals" null Click to play video Labor questions Turnbull's conviction "Follow UsFeatured advertisersSpecial offersCredit card, savings and loan rates by MozoReal Estateapartment-therapyRenovate your lounge on a budget Domain.com.au Buy real estate Snap and send to win $10,000 Investor Hints & TipsJobsAdzuna IconFind your perfect job today Adzuna.com.au What is Adzuna? Where are all the jobs? 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