Prime Minister Tony Abbott has promoted Peter Dutton to immigration and moved Scott Morrison into social services in a much bigger ministerial reshuffle than expected.
Mr Abbott announced his new look team in Canberra on Sunday, saying it would “reset and refocus the government for the coming year”.
“This is a ministry for jobs and families and it is a sign that this is a government which wants the economy and the budget to be front and centre in the coming year,” he told reporters in Canberra.
Mr Dutton will move from health to immigration in what Mr Abbott dubbed a “significant reshuffle”, while Mr Morrison gets the important portfolio of social services.
In a shock promotion, former Social Services Minster Kevin Andrews has been appointed to defence at the expense of David Johnston, who has been dumped from cabinet.
Sussan Ley will take on health, becoming the second woman in the Abbott cabinet.
Josh Frydenberg will become Assistant Treasurer, replacing Arthur Sinodinos, whose resignation from the role sparked the reshuffle.
Mr Abbott said the education portfolio would now become education and training, with former parliamentary secretary Simon Birmingham named as an assistant minister to Christopher Pyne.
Kelly O’Dwyer also entered the outer ministry, becoming a parliamentary secretary to the treasurer.
“This is a good team. It is a strong team. It is a balanced team,” Mr Abbott said.
“I am proud of all my colleagues but I am particularly proud to be able to make these announcements this afternoon.”
Brent Mason has been dropped as parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs and the vacancy filled by Steve Ciobo.
Meanwhile, Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane will become the Minister for Industry and Science, rectifying an omission that has plagued the government.
Addressing the dumping of Senator Johnston, the Prime Minister said “no one goes on forever”.
However, the resignation of Senator Sinodinos provided an opportunity to “refresh and reset” the government.
“Just because someone leaves the government doesn’t mean that he or she has done a poor job,” he said.
“Johnno did a fine job as defence minister and Brett Mason has done a good job in his role.”
Mr Andrews would be a “very, very safe pair of hands” as defence minister.
“He will do an excellent job in this difficult and vital portfolio,” Mr Abbott said.
The prime minister also heaped praise on outgoing immigration minister Scott Morrison as a master of difficult policy and administration, who had all but stopped the boats.
As part of an expanded social services portfolio, Mr Morrison will have responsibility for child care and Mr Abbott’s signature paid parental leave scheme.
“He is a very tough and competent political operator but he is also an extremely decent human being,” the prime minister said.
“We need good judgment in these areas and that is exactly what you will get from Scott Morrison.”
Rounding out Mr Abbott’s reshuffle, Christian Porter, Bob Baldwin and Karen Andrews were all named parliamentary secretaries.
The new ministry will be sworn in on Tuesday.
source: dailytelegraph.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 