Opposition leader Peter Dutton renews calls for Andrew Giles’ sacking as frontbench reshuffle looms

Opposition leader Peter Dutton is turning up the pressure on Anthony Albanese to dump Andrew Giles in a rumoured ministerial reshuffle, declaring anything short of sacking his close ally would show how “weak” the prime minister is.

Speculation is rife that the prime minister will as soon as this Sunday unveil a new look frontbench in his first reshuffle since the 2022 election.

Mr Albanese has been under pressure from the Opposition to sack Mr Giles as immigration minister over his handling of the High Court ruling that forced the release of more than 150 detainees into the community.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil – the other minister embroiled in the months-long immigration detention saga – could also be shifted to another role, with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt seen as a possible replacement in the high-pressure portfolio.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Dutton described Mr Giles as Labor’s most incompetent minister and said: “Anything short of that (sacking him) shows how weak and out of touch the prime minister is”.

“It is no wonder that Australians are looking at the Prime Minister and asking what on earth are you doing? What on earth are you doing Prime Minister when you can’t sack a minister like Andrew Giles?” Mr Dutton said.

Calls for Mr Giles’ sacking reached fever pitch in May and June amid the furore over his controversial ministerial direction that allowed convicted criminals to escape deportation.

The so-called direction 99 has since been replaced.

Mr Giles — who is also multicultural affairs minister — is a close factional ally of Mr Albanese and it would be a surprise if he was dumped from the 30-member ministry altogether even if he is stripped of the immigration portfolio.

Mr Giles refused to be drawn on his future when asked about the rumoured reshuffle.

“(A) reshuffle is a matter for the prime minister and I won’t comment on any of his decisions in that regard,” he said.

“I am focused on doing the work that I’m doing.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Perth MP Patrick Gorman has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Mr Giles.

Mr Gorman earlier this week brushed off speculation of an imminent promotion as “just rumours”.

“I think it is a privilege to serve in Government — every day is a privilege,” he said.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher also dodged questions about the reshuffle, insisting it was a matter for Mr Albanese.

The extent of the ministerial reshuffle could hinge on whether Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor — who is widely expected to retire at the next election — decide to pull the pin early.

Ms Burney’s assistant minister, NT senator Malarndirri McCarthy, is widely seen as Ms Burney’s successor, while junior ministers Jenny McAllister, Anika Wells, Matt Keogh and Pat Conroy are considered cabinet material.

The Nightly has spoken to multiple agriculture industry sources who expect Senator Watt to be in a new frontbench position when the dust settles on the reshuffle.

The move would prompt a mixed reaction in the sector, where the Gold Coast-based senator has become a polarising figure since being appointed to the portfolio after Labor’s 2022 election win.

He is reviled by some WA farmers for pushing ahead with a shutdown of the live sheep export trade by mid-2028 despite warnings it will devastate regional communities.

The $107 million industry transition package he negotiated through cabinet has been dismissed as inadequate by industry groups and the WA Government.

But inside the Federal Government and some industry circles, the former lawyer is a highly respected operator.

He is considered a safe pair of hands and one of Labor’s best communicators in the media and Parliament.

Home Affairs would be a neat fit given Senator Watt already deals with the department in his capacity as Emergency Management Minister.

The 51-year-old also represents Ms O’Neil and Mr Giles at Senate estimates hearings, meaning he already receives detailed briefings about the portfolios.

As for a potential successor, assistant trade minister Tim Ayres — who, like Senator Watt, is a factional ally of Mr Albanese — has been mooted as a future agriculture minister.