Turf war? Defence Minister Marise Payne insists she and Christopher Pyne are of equal rank in Defence portfolio

By David Wroe
Updated October 19 2016 - 8:08pm, first published 6:37pm
Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne said she and the other two ministers with responsibilities for Defence were "cracking on with the job" since the new frontbench was announced. Photo: Andrew Meares
Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne said she and the other two ministers with responsibilities for Defence were "cracking on with the job" since the new frontbench was announced. Photo: Andrew Meares
Defence secretary Dennis Richardson, pictured with Senator Payne and acting CDF Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, said there had been the "odd hiccup" with the unusual arrangement. Photo: Andrew Meares
Defence secretary Dennis Richardson, pictured with Senator Payne and acting CDF Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, said there had been the "odd hiccup" with the unusual arrangement. Photo: Andrew Meares
Christopher Pyne, with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, being sworn-in as Minister for Defence Industry  in July. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Christopher Pyne, with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, being sworn-in as Minister for Defence Industry in July. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Defence Minister Marise Payne has refused to say whether she or Christopher Pyne is the senior minister in the critical national security portfolio.

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