International

Australian PM unveils new cabinet

14 Feb, 2016

CANBERRA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) — Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday announced the line-up of his new cabinet, emphasising the role of his younger and female colleagues.

Turnbull described the new line-up as “a dynamic team which combines youth, new talent, experience, continuity, and a real sense of innovation and enterprise.”

“It’s a team that’s focused on Australia’s future, focused on the policies that will encourage innovation and enterprise,” he said.

Incoming Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who became leader of the Nationals on Thursday, will keep the post of the minister for agriculture and water resources.

NSW Nationals Senator Fiona Nash, elected the party’s deputy leader on Thursday, moves into cabinet in a super regional portfolio encompassing regional development, health and regional communications.

The Nationals have been offered another position in cabinet, expanding the size of cabinet to 22 people.

Victorian Nationals MP Darren Chester has been offered the infrastructure and transport portfolio previously held by Warren Truss, who announced his resignation earlier this week.

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells will shift from assistant minister for multicultural affairs to the portfolio of international development and the pacific, while Craig Laundy will take over her old role.

Steve Ciobo will take on the role of trade minister and will work with newly- appointed special envoy for trade Andrew Robb, who also announced his resignation earlier this week.

The new team will be sworn in on Thursday next week, boosting the number of women to six in cabinet and 10 in the executive.

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