Turnbull’s power takes a dent in list of Australia’s most powerful people

Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull have been named as Australia’s top “power couple”, after they both capped the two of the Australian Financial Review Magazine’s 2017 power lists.

Despite the high ranking, the prime minister has taken a slight tumble this year compared to last on the Overt Power List, which ranks the top 10 Australian who wield more power than anyone else.

The AFR’s “Power Panel” said while Mr Turnbull remains the country’s most powerful leader because of his prime ministership, his position has weakened.

“The panel put Turnbull’s loss of power down to an internal struggle in the Liberal Party between conservatives and moderates, as well as the unceasing challenges presented by a weak position in the Parliament,” it said in a statement overnight.

“(We) also cited Turnbull’s inability to both assert authority within his own party and project a clear agenda and leadership style to voters.”

Opposition leader Bill Shorten came in at second place, and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was listed at third.

The panel said Mr Shorten had “increased” his power during the past 12 months.

“The panel reasoned that Shorten had successfully reinforced his authority within the Labor Party and the labor movement, as well as lifting the opposition’s primary vote in the polls and forcing the government to embrace some of Labor’s agenda,” the statement said.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann came in at number four on the list in his debut year, while Tony Abbott returned at number nine for the first time since losing the prime ministership.

Mr Abbott replaced Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who slipped off the list this year.

The only female to make the list was the Secretary of the Australian Council of trade Unions Sally McManus, who came in at number 10.

Matching her husband, Lucy Turnbull came in at top spot on the 2017 Covert Power List – the first woman to do so.

The Covert Power list is defined as “individuals or institutions that have indirect power, bringing about change by using their ability to influence the people with overt power.”

“The Power Panel assessed Lucy Turnbull’s power as deriving from her work in and for a cross-section of business organisations and community causes, and because of her role as chief confidante and personal adviser to the Prime Minister,” the statement said.

Mr Turnbull’s private secretary Sally Cray rose to number three on the list, behind Duncan Lewis.

Ray Hadley came in at number eight, with Paul Oosting and activist group GetUp! coming in at nine.

On the cultural power list, TV producers Carl and Mark Fennesy from Endemol Shine Australia, who are behind Channel Nine’s Australian Ninja Warrior, debuted at number one.

The AFL Women’s League was at number two and Waleed Aly came in at number four.

Actor Rebel Wilson debuted at number nine after her recent legal triumph over Bauer Media.