A move within the Abbott cabinet to establish a homeland security super-ministry, drawing together several major departments and functions, looks to have been scuttled because senior figures viewed it as an attempt by backers of Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to elevate him to future leader status.
The entire issue is tied up with the timing of a reshuffle that will eventually be necessary one way or the other because of the temporary and possibly permanent vacancy created by the absence of Assistant Treasurer Arthur Sinodinos.
He awaits the findings of an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry due next year.
Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey wants Arthur Sinodinos to eventually return to the frontbench, saying the former assistant treasurer is “a man of great personal integrity”.