In a press conference held in the Prime Minister’s Courtyard this afternoon after a meeting of the party room, Turnbull announced he would be recommending to the Governor-General several changes to the ministry for the 45th parliament.
Advertisement
Assistant Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer’s title will change to Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, while Senator Matt Canavan will be promoted to Cabinet as Minister for Resources and Northern Australia.
Senior minister Christopher Pyne concedes “there may well be some tinkering around the edges”.
Former environment minister Greg Hunt gets Christopher Pyne’s old job of minister for industry, innovation and science, with Pyne, from South Australia, where the government plans to spend $50 billion on new submarines, takes on a new role as defence industry minister.
“He will give new leadership to that important portfolio”.
The Turnbull Government will no longer have a sole Environment Minister, with Josh Frydenberg taking on the expanded Environment and Energy portfolio and Greg Hunt moving to Industry, Innovation and Science. Deputy nationals Leader Fiona Nash has added local government and the Territories to her existing roles of Regional Heath and Regional Communications.
Michael McCormack will become the Minister for Small Business, in the Treasury portfolio. Former Nationals minister Luke Hartsukyer, and Nationals MP David Gillespie, move from the backbench in to Parliamentary secretary roles.
Dan Tehan – Minister for Defence Personnel, in conjunction with his ongoing role as Minister for Veterans Affairs.
Zed Seselja – Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs.
Talented Victorian Michael Sukkar was overlooked.
“He has a keen understanding of innovation and a keen understanding of science and technology”, Turnbull said.
Turnbull said budget fix will be a “front of mind” issue for his government, along with the ABCC legislation and mental health reform. But he urged all and sundry not to dwell on the past but to work hard to deliver so there would be achievements to campaign on in 2019.
Advertisement
“We’re supporters and designers of the policy”, he said. But he said it was necessary in order to have a double dissolution using as triggers two industrial relations bills. He renewed his calls for democratic reform of the Liberal Party in NSW, otherwise it would continue to lose members.
