However, the successful delivery of the comprehensive Defence white paper and the political distraction of the federal budget, coupled with the Labor Government entering the second half of its first term of office, provided a ''perfect storm'' to relieve Mr Fitzgibbon of the troubled portfolio.

''The white paper has been received well and it is a testament to Joel,'' he said. ''But the damage has been done. If he is going to go, the time is now.''

The Sunday Canberra Times reported exclusively last month that a series of strategies involving key changes to diplomatic posts and senior bureaucratic positions were on the table in a bid to minimise damage in the wake of the Fitzgibbon travel scandal and departmental spying allegations.

Chief among these was former spy boss, and the Australian ambassador to the US, Dennis Richardson, who has been tipped to replace current Defence secretary Nick Warner previously a career diplomat who would in turn become ambassador to Indonesia at the end of current ambassador Bill Farmer's term, which expires in September.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times