New Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced his Cabinet, stamping his mark on government with sweeping changes that he said represent ‘a 21st century Government and a ministry for the future’.
Among the biggest changes – and the most widely expected – announced by Mr Turnbull on Sunday afternoon was the appointment of Scott Morrison as Treasurer, replacing Joe Hockey.
WHO ARE THE BIG LOSERS IN THE CABINET RESHUFFLE?
Kevin Andrews – not reappointed as Defence Minister
Joe Hockey – not reappointed as Treasurer, resigning from parliament
Eric Abetz – not reappointed as Minister for Employment
Ian Macfarlane – not reappointed as the Resources Minister
Bruce Billson – not reappointed as Small Business Minister
WHO ARE THE BIG WINNERS IN THE CABINET RESHUFFLE?
Scott Morrison – Treasurer
Marise Payne – first female Defence Minister
Michaelia Cash – Minister for Employment, Minister for women, and Minister assisting the PM for the public service
Kelly O’Dwyer – Minister for Small Business and the Assistant Treasurer, a position which has been elevated to Cabinet
Simon Birmingham – Minister for Education and training
Christian Porter – joins cabinet as Minister for social services
Josh Frydenberg – elevated to Cabinet as Minister for Resources, energy, and northern Australia
Mr Hockey immediately made the shock announcement that he would not just be leaving the frontbench but would be resigning from parliament altogether.
Another major winner is Senator Marise Payne, who joins cabinet as the first female Defence Minister in Australia’s history, replacing Kevin Andrews.
Eric Abetz was not reappointed as Minister for Employment, with Michaelia Cash taking on that portfolio.
Ms Cash has also been appointed as the Minister for women, and Minister assisting the PM for the public service.
The fifth minister who did not retain a position in cabinet was Bruce Billson, who lost his role as the Small Business Minister.
That portfolio was taken on by Kelly O’Dwyer, who is also the Assistant Treasurer, a position which has been elevated to cabinet.
Julie Bishop, a key supporter of Mr Turnbull in his successful challenge to Tony Abbott last week, keeps her role as Foreign Minister and Deputy Liberal Leader.
A beaming Ms Bishop stood beside Mr Turnbull at his press conference in Canberra where he announced the new lineup.
The appointment of Anne Rufton as the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources takes the number of women in cabinet to five.
Christopher Pyne, who held the education portfolio, has now been appointed as the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.
The Abbott government was heavily critcised for not having a Minister for Science.
Simon Birmingham was named as the new Minister for Education and Training, while Josh Frydenberg was elevated to cabinet as Minister for Resources, energy, and northern Australia.
Christian Porter takes over from Scott Morrison as the Minister for Social Services.
George Brandis remains the Attorney-General, and has also been appointed as leader of the Government in the Senate.
Mathias Cormann kept his position as the Minister for Finance, and has also been appointed Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss retained that position, and was also appointed the Minister for Regional Development.
Jamie Briggs will take on the role of Minister for Cities and the Built Environment.
A number of ministers also retained their positions, including Greg Hunt as Environment Minister, Barnaby Joyce as the Minister for Agriculture, Peter Dutton as the Minister for Defence, and Susan Ley as Health Minister.
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