Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Scullion dismisses reshuffle rumours

Nigel Scullion has shrugged off calls to elevate former prime minister Tony Abbott to the Northern Territory senator's indigenous affairs portfolio.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion says he isn't fazed by rumours of a cabinet reshuffle putting his job in jeopardy.

Backers of Tony Abbott have pushed for the former prime minister to take the Northern Territory senator's portfolio and re-enter cabinet to heal the rift with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who deposed him in 2015.

But Minister Scullion, who was visiting Arnhem Land on Thursday, dismissed it as just "politics".

"I focus on the best outcomes for my mob here. Silliness and politics I just don't worry about," he said.

"I'm not very good at politics, so I just play to my strengths. I'm in the business of making life better on country."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

He rejected suggestions that Mr Turnbull should follow his predecessor's lead and spend more time in remote indigenous communities.

During his tenure, Mr Abbott said it was only fair the prime minister spent two per cent of the year focusing on a group that makes up three per cent of the nation's population.

But Senator Scullion defended Mr Turnbull's efforts amid numerous responsibilities.

"The boss spends a fair bit of time in indigenous areas, I know he's got a fantastic relationship with the mob at (Sydney's) La Perouse," he said.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world