Morrison ministry announced
26 August 2018
After a whirlwind week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has wasted no time in announcing a major ministerial reshuffle, featuring a mixture of both new and familiar faces. Mr Morrison said the “new generation team” will offer stability, while also beginning the work of “healing” and tackling big challenges with new ideas. The full new ministry list is here.
Former Defence Minister Marise Payne has been appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, after former Deputy Leader Julie Bishop announced her resignation from the Cabinet this afternoon and confirmed she will move to the backbench. Ms Bishop remains undecided about the next election.
Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg was sworn in as Treasurer on Friday evening. His previous portfolio of Environment and Energy has been split, resulting in two newcomers to Cabinet in Angus Taylor as Energy Minister and WA MP Melissa Price as Minister for the Environment. The PM has also rewarded key supporters Paul Fletcher and Karen Andrews with Cabinet positions, with the pair taking on Families and Social Services, and Industry, Science and Technology, respectively.
In an apparent bid to mend internal divisions, the Prime Minister has returned leadership rival Peter Dutton to Cabinet as Home Affairs Minister, albeit in a reduced role, with his previous portfolio of Immigration given to newcomer David Coleman in an outer ministry role, along with Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.
Mathias Cormann stays on as Minister for Finance and Leader of the Government in the Senate, while Dan Tehan has been appointed Education Minister and will take over the Government’s negotiations with the Catholic schools sector. Meanwhile, Senator Simon Birmingham is the new Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Christopher Pyne becomes Defence Minister, supported by Steven Ciobo as Defence Industry Minister.
Victorian frontbencher Greg Hunt – who backed Peter Dutton in this week’s leadership contest – remains Minister for Health, while Senator Mitch Fifield keeps Communications and the Arts and David Littleproud holds on to Agriculture and Water Resources.
Other key changes include:
- Kelly O’Dwyer appointed Minister for Jobs, Industrial Relations and Women
- Senator Michaelia Cash appointed Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education
- Alan Tudge becomes Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population
- Morrison backers Alex Hawke and Stuart Robert are rewarded with positions in the Outer Ministry as Special Minister of State and Assistant Treasurer, respectively
- Dutton supporter Senator Zed Seselja retains a position in the Executive, as Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance
- South Australian Senator Anne Ruston replaces Concetta Fierravanti-Wells as Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
- Former Health Minister Sussan Ley re-joins the ministry as Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories
- Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck returns to the Executive as Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources
- New Assistant Ministers include David Fawcett, Steve Irons, Andrew Broad, Sarah Henderson and Michelle Landry
While not in the ministry, former Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has agreed to serve as Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery.
Prime Minister Morrison is preparing to visit drought-affected communities in western Queensland tomorrow after meeting with National Drought Coordinator Major General Stephen Day earlier today. The PM has also received briefings from Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell and had his first phone call with US President Donald Trump, while newly-minted Treasurer Josh Frydenberg had breakfast with former Treasurer Peter Costello.
Reports suggest Prime Minister Morrison will visit Jakarta on Thursday, as planned by his predecessor, to announce an Australia-Indonesia free trade agreement.