Sherry “active in ministerial duties” as Government reshuffle talk raises prospect of new Small Business Minister

Australia might be set for a new Small Business Minister, with reports suggesting that Nick Sherry is looking to either leave politics altogether, give up the portfolio or take a break from the portfolio.

But Sherry’s office told SmartCompany this morning that “Minister Sherry was active in his ministerial duties at Conference [the Australian Labor Party conference last weekend] and will continue to be active in his ministerial duties”.

Sherry was well-regarded for his previous portfolio of assistant treasurer, where his deep knowledge of superannuation was much respected.

He took over the small business role, which is not in Cabinet, from Craig Emerson at the last election.

Shadow Small Business Minister Bruce Billson says Small Business should be given a seat at the Cabinet table. “Now is the time for the Government to back up its words with action by giving small business cabinet status,” Billson says.

According to the Australian Financial Review, Prime Minister Julia Gillard is believed to have lined up one-on-one meetings with ministers this week.

Reports suggest Attorney-General Robert McClelland might announce he won’t contest the next election, although his office told the Sydney Morning Herald that retirement speculation was incorrect.

There are also suggestions that Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten – who had a high profile during the Qantas dispute – might get his wish for a cabinet position.

The reports follow last weekend’s Labor Party national conference, in which Gillard excluded Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd from her praise of former Labor Prime Ministers.

Elements of a report into the ALP by former premier Bob Steve and Steve Bracks and Senator John Faulkner were leaked this week.

The report was critical of Rudd’s leadership of the party, and suggested he or his supporters were responsible for damaging leaks about the party during the 2010 election campaign.