Federal Cabinet Reshuffle
29 March 2021
Maintaining Momentum of the Recovery
Following recent developments in Canberra, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today announced a reshuffle of the Federal Cabinet, which he said would apply a “fresh lens” for achieving results for Australians, particularly women.
Key Changes
The new Attorney-General is Western Australian Senator Michaelia Cash, who previously served as Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. In a significant change, current Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton will move to Defence. Minister Dutton will also serve as Leader of the Government in the House. Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Portfolio will move to Queensland MP Karen Andrews.
The reshuffle has promoted one additional Minister to Cabinet, Western Australian MP Melissa Price, who will retain her current portfolio of Defence Industry. No changes have been made in the major portfolios of Health or Treasury.
New Cabinet Taskforce
There will be a large focus on matters relating to women, with Senator and Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne retaining the responsibility for Minister for Women. This role will be emphasised as the lead for women’s policy with the Prime Minister describing it as the “Prime Minister for Women”. Anne Ruston will join the Leadership Team with the additional title as Minister for Women’s Safety, while Senator Jane Hume will take on the additional role of Women’s Economic Security.
The Prime Minister also announced the creation of a new Cabinet taskforce to address women’s equality, and economic security which will be chaired by Minister Payne and include all female members of Cabinet and the Prime Minister. Queensland Liberal Senator Amanda Stoker will serve as Assistant Minister for Women.
Ministers on Leave
As expected, the two WA-based Ministers presently on medical leave – Christian Porter and Linda Reynolds – will depart their current portfolios of Attorney-General and Defence respectively. Instead, Minister Reynolds will take on the portfolios of Government Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Meanwhile, Christian Porter will become Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, previously held by Minister Andrews.
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