The opposition Labor Party has said it is considering a legal challenge to every decision made by Joyce since last year’s election. Turnbull said on Saturday that the deputy position would remain vacant until after the Dec. 2 by-election for Joyce’s seat. The position normally goes to a member of the National Party, the junior partner in the coalition government. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, a member of Turnbull’s Liberal Party, would instead be acting prime minister when he travels to Israel on Monday, three days behind schedule. The others dismissed were all senators in the upper house and their seats can be assigned to party-appointed alternatives.

Source: bd News24 October 28, 2017 06:11 UTC