Former Australian Special Forces Commander Heston Russell says “it’s time” for Veterans’ Affairs Minister Darren Chester to go.
It comes as Barnaby Joyce’s return as deputy prime minister includes speculation over whether Mr Chester will be replaced as the minister for veteran affairs.
Heston Russell, who met with key ministers at Parliament this week to discuss what the cabinet re-shuffle could mean for veterans, told Sky News there were members of the party who want Darren Chester to remain - “with the justification being continuity”.
“But I myself believe it’s time for him to go,” Mr Russell said.
“Continuity is one thing but it’s time for innovation and its time for evolution and it’s time for action.”
Discussing who would be a suitable replacement for Darren Chester, Mr Russell noted Bridget McKenzie was one of the names which had been “floated around”.
“Barnaby Joyce as the new deputy prime minister and as a devout supporter who was willing to cross the floor for the Royal Commission, his expression to me was that he saw that position as more than just a placeholder,” he said.
“So I have fantastic trust in who he picks.”
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