AUSTRALIA – POLITICS - RESIGNATIONS

Three Liberal Party Government Ministers have walked over the past week. None will contest the next Federal election which is due in 5 months in May. – all citing ‘family’ as the reason. The Liberal Party is Australia’s rough equivalent of the US Republican Party. The resigning Ministers are:

• Kelly O’Dwyer – Minister for Women

• Michael Keenan – Minister for Human Services

• Nigel Scullion – Minister for Indigenous Affairs

Three government ministers resigning only 5 months out from an election is unprecedented in my experience. Their leaving at this point will be a heavy blow to the Morrison Liberal Government’s chances of retaining power at the forthcoming election.

In my opinion, one of three scenarios is in play.

1.They know the election is lost & they are deserting the sinking ship – unlikely as they may still retain their individual seats & the pay/perks that come with that.

2.They have been pushed or are part of a plan to help the Labor Party over the line in the election – unlikely but possible (anything is possible in Aussie politics these days)

3.Australian politics is being cleaned out, similar to the US & they have been made an offer they can’t refuse – possible.

Either way, the reality of a Shorten socialist Labor Government in Australia just ticked up by several points. Time will tell.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-26/nigel-scullion-quits-politics-indigenous-affairs-national-clp/10747898?section=politics

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-25/minister-michael-keenan-quits/10752352?section=politics

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-19/kelly-odwyer-quitting-federal-parliament/10729102

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-21/kelly-odwyers-decision-turns-the-spotlight-onto-julie-bishop/10731398?section=politics