Coalition MPs returning to Canberra are anticipating a “euphoric” party room meeting and they’re unlikely to know the ministry make-up until next week.
Member for Canning Don Randall says the joint parties meeting on Friday will be a chance to welcome back colleagues whose electorates returned them and congratulate new MPs.
“That’s going to be quite euphoric and we’re very pleased with the result,” he told reporters in Canberra.
He also believed prime minister-elect Tony Abbott would discuss some of the challenges ahead of the incoming government.
This could include asylum seeker policy, with the Indonesian government already declaring it might reject some of the coalition’s proposals.
Incoming foreign minister Julie Bishop said in a statement to the ABC the policies would be discussed during formal bilateral meetings with Indonesian officials in coming weeks and months.
She said discussions would not be conducted through the media.
Liberal MP Alan Tudge said the Abbott government had a full suite of policies aimed at stopping the boats.
Having successfully made the switch from the Senate to the lower house, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce sayid he’d seek the deputy leadership of the Nationals.
But he hasn’t sought any specific ministry.
“If a responsibility is offered to you, you accept it; if it’s not offered to you, you don’t covet it,” he said.
“I’ve not made one phone call to Tony Abbott or Warren Truss asking for any portfolio.”
The exact make-up of Mr Abbott’s front bench is unlikely to be unveiled on Friday.
Mr Randall said the leadership team would continue its discussions about who to include in cabinet and the ministry over the weekend.
“Some people will get a phone call they want and some’ll get a phone call they won’t want,” he said.
Some concerns have been raised over the likely lack of women in cabinet, with Ms Bishop left on her own after Sophie Mirabella took herself out of the running to await the outcome of a tight election result in her seat of Indi.
Several MPs said there were talented women sitting on the coalition’s back bench.
“All women in the coalition are outstanding but there are some who clearly are excellent contributors,” Steve Ciobo said.
“We base our decisions and no doubt he (Tony Abbott) will base his decisions on the basis of merit.”
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