Oppossition Leader Ssussan Ley has defended several of her choices for positions within the Liberal-Nationals coalition’s new shadow ministry.

In particular, Mss Ley said the appointment of WA Senator Michaelia Cash to the foreign affairs shadow portfolio would pay dividends in both the short and long term.

“I believe that Michaelia as our spokesperson is the ideal choice to face off against Foreign Minister Penny Wong,” she told a news conference at Parliament House in Canberra.

“Michaelia has a long record on the coalition frontbench, starting back in 2013 as Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. (main picture)

“She has also filled 10 other assistant ministerial or cabinet posts until the 2022 election.

“In each of them, she brought her unique thoughtful, delicate, and diplomatic approach to sensitive issues such as employment, innovation, small business, and industrial relations. (below)

“I am sure she will raise her voice in global forums to put Australia’s point of view,” Mss Ley said before rethinking her response and asking reporters to omit the words “raise her voice” when filing their stories.

“On reflection, in reality that’s simply not possible,” she explained.

When asked why former National Party leader Michael McCormack (below) was left out of the shadow ministry, Mss Ley replied: “Who?”

Members of the Canberra media gallery then quizzed the new Opposition Leader on why she would ignore Barnaby Joyce who was described by them as “the greatest retail politician in Australia”.

Mss Ley did not give a detailed answer, but promised to provide one “some time before about 2013 to 2016”.

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