PM unveils new ministry as Coalition prepares for majority government
Updated
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reshuffled his Cabinet and stamped his renewed authority on the Coalition, after delivering a majority government.
Key points:
- Senator Arthur Sinodinos will be recommended as Australia’s next Ambassador to the United States
- Senator Mitch Fifield will be recommended as Australia’s next Ambassador to the United Nations
- Both appointments would trigger casual vacancies and could see the return of Senator Jim Molan
Many senior positions remain unchanged, although Melissa Price will no longer serve as environment minister and will be replaced by Sussan Ley.
Mr Morrison announced Senator Arthur Sinodinos will become Australia’s next ambassador to the United States, replacing Joe Hockey when his term ends.
He will also recommend Mitch Fifield become Australia’s ambassador to the United Nations, with Paul Fletcher to take over his communications portfolio.
“They will both be exceptional representatives and our countries interests abroad will be well served in that role,” Mr Morrison said.
Linda Reynolds will become Defence Minister replacing the retired Christopher Pyne, as previously flagged by the Prime Minister.
Stuart Robert will be promoted to Cabinet and Minister for Government Services and also oversee the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Bridget McKenzie will become the nation’s first female Agriculture Minister, replacing David Littleproud, who will now focus on the natural disaster and emergency management portfolio.
The remodelled frontbench follows the retirements of senior government ministers before the election.
Those who departed included Indigenous affairs minister Nigel Scullion, jobs minister Kelly O’Dwyer and defence minister Christopher Pyne.
Ken Wyatt becomes the first Aboriginal person to hold the Indigenous Affairs portfolio.
The Yamatji-Wongi-Noongar man previously served as Indigenous Health Minister.
During the final debate of the campaign, Mr Morrison said Ms Price would remain as his Environment Minister if elected.
“She asked for a new challenge and I was happy to give her one,” Mr Morrison said.
Responsibility for reducing Australia’s emissions will transfer from the Environment Minister to the Energy Minister, Angus Taylor.
Reshuffle gives failed candidates a lifeline
Mr Fifield’s exit follows three years in the communications portfolio — overseeing ABC, SBS, and the National Broadband Network — and 15 years in Parliament.
“It was Mitch’s call about what he wanted to do, I would have been very happy for Mitch to continue to serve in communications and the arts,” Mr Morrison said.
The Liberal Party will choose his Senate replacement, creating the possibility Sarah Henderson could be handed a political lifeline after losing the seat of Corangamite.
Unlike the dual citizenship resignations, the party will be able to choose a replacement, rather than it automatically going to the next candidate on the Senate ballot.
Mr Sinodinos will take charge of managing Australia’s relationship with the Trump Administration and will be in Washington throughout the 2020 US Presidential campaign.
His exit could allow Senator Jim Molan to remain in the Upper House after he was dumped to an unwinnable position on the Coalition’s NSW Senate ticket ahead of the election.
Attorney-General Christian Porter will become Leader of the House, taking responsibility for Parliamentary tactics and the Government’s day-to-day business in the chamber.
Frontbenchers continuing in their roles include Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Education Minister Dan Tehan.
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