QUEENSLAND LNP senator Ian Macdonald says he has been dropped from Tony Abbott's frontbench, calling it ``one of the worst'' days of his life.
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All eyes were on Mr Abbott yesterday as he named his cabinet, having vowed to keep the team that he won the federal election with.
However, Senator Macdonald said on Sunday: ``What should have been one of the proudest days of my life has turned into one of the worst.
``The ecstasy of a new government and success in the north has turned a little sad with a phone call from Tony Abbott saying he has no room for me in the new ministry.''
Such was his disappointment, the Senator said that he would turn off his phone and withdraw from social media and take a break after a ``very strenuous nine months''.
``For the moment, I think it best if I turn off my phone and Facebook,'' he said.
``Sorry, I will be uncontactable for a couple of days.'` Senator Macdonald apologised to his constituents, his supporters, his staff and his wife saying, '`I feel I have let you all down''.
Senator Macdonald served as shadow parliamentary secretary for northern and remote Australia, and as shadow parliamentary secretary for the defence force and defence support while in opposition.
The senator from Queensland has been elected for another six years to the Senate.
While expressing his disappointment at being dropped from the Abbott frontbench, he said he would continue to support Mr Abbott from the backbench.
Teresa Gambaro, Andrew Southcott and Don Randall, who all served as shadow parliamentary secretaries, have also missed seats on the frontbench. Veteran MP Bronwyn Bishop has the backing of Mr Abbott to be Parliament's Speaker.
Mr Abbott began calling colleagues on Sunday night to offer cabinet, ministerial and parliamentary secretary posts.
The swearing in of the new cabinet is due to take place today or tomorrow.
Abbott unveils his government team
CABINET - 19 members?
TONY ABBOTT (NSW) - Prime Minister; WARREN TRUSS (Qld) - Deputy Prime Minister; Infrastructure and Regional Development, Leader of the Nationals; JULIE BISHOP (WA) - Foreign Affairs; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party; ERIC ABETZ (Tas) - Employment; assisting the Prime Minister on the Public Service; Leader of the Government in the Senate; GEORGE BRANDIS (Qld)- Attorney-General; Arts; Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate; JOE HOCKEY (NSW) - Treasurer; BARNABY JOYCE (NSW) - Agriculture; CHRISTOPHER PYNE (SA) - Education; Leader of the House; NIGEL SCULLION (NT) - Indigenous Affairs; IAN MACFARLANE (Qld) - Industry; KEVIN ANDREWS (Vic) - Social Services; MALCOLM TURNBULL (NSW) - Communications; PETER DUTTON (Qld) - Health; Sport; BRUCE BILLSON (Vic) - Small Business; ANDREW ROBB (Vic) - Trade and Investment; DAVID JOHNSTON (WA) - Defence; GREG HUNT (Vic) - Environment; SCOTT MORRISON (NSW) - Immigration and Border Protection; MATHIAS CORMANN (WA) - Finance
OUTER MINISTRY - 11 members
MITCH FIFIELD - Assistant Minister for Social Services; Manager of Government Business in the Senate; LUKE HARTSUYKER - Assistant Minister for Employment; Deputy Leader of the House; FIONA NASH - Assistant Minister for Health; Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate; MICHAEL RONALDSON - Veterans' Affairs; Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC; Special Minister of State; SUSSAN LEY - Assistant Minister for Education; MARISE PAYNE - Human Services; MICHAEL KEENAN - Justice; STUART ROBERT - Assistant Minister for Defence; MICHAELIA CASH - Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women; JAMIE BRIGGS - Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development; ARTHUR SINODINOS - Assistant Treasurer
