Labor’s David Feeney is not expected to survive on the opposition frontbench when Bill Shorten moves to reshuffle his ministry post election.



The Victorian rightwinger held on to his seat of Batman despite a big push by the Greens and despite kicking a series of own goals during the campaign, including failing to declare ownership of a house, faltering during a live television interview about Labor’s election policy positions and then leaving his briefing notes behind in the studio.

Party sources say the right faction is not currently inclined to fight for Feeney to remain on the Labor frontbench when the ministry is redrawn by Shorten.

Shorten was asked on Monday whether he intended to make changes in the shadow ministry post election and responded he had a “good problem”.

“We’ve got lots of new talented people,” he said. “I have a good problem, a happy problem. I’ve got a lot of talent and we’re going to put in the best possible line-up.

“I’ll consult with my colleagues in coming weeks. I am very pleased with my shadow cabinet and shadow ministry.”

Asked specifically about Feeney’s fate, Shorten noted Feeney was not in the shadow cabinet at the present time. Feeney is currently the shadow assistant minister for defence.

While things look difficult for Feeney, prospects have brightened for Andrew Leigh, the shadow assistant treasurer. Leigh is not factionally aligned and it looked for a period that he might be a casualty of the post-election jockeying.



But Shorten is understood to have told colleagues he wants Leigh to remain in the ministry when the frontbench is redrawn.

Shorten’s comments on Monday point to the complex management task associated with balancing Labor’s post-election ministry with senior players and new up and comers.

There are suggestions that a number of senior shadow ministers are seeking a change of portfolio and there is some grumbling internally about the campaign performance of some shadow frontbenchers, including the shadow health minister, Catherine King – although the left faction will nominate King to remain on the frontbench.

There is also disquiet in the left faction about Victorian leftwing powerbroker Kim Carr, who is a key supporter of Shorten, but it is not clear whether disquiet will escalate or abate as the shadow ministry process progresses.