Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rewarded two key allies with ministerial positions in his first post-election cabinet.
Scott Morrison has promoted key supporters Alex Hawke and Stuart Robert and will send two senior senators overseas as ambassadors in his first post-election cabinet.
Robert was assistant treasurer but has been promoted to cabinet as Government Services Minister and will oversee the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Hawke will be International Development Minister and assistant Defence Minister, in a bid to build stronger defence and economic ties with the Pacific.
Both men were key supporters of Morrison when former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lost the confidence of the party room in August, resulting in a leadership spill.
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The prime minister also named Ken Wyatt as the first indigenous Australian to be Indigenous Affairs Minister.
Incredibly honoured to be the first Aboriginal Minister for Indigenous Australians, committed to working & walking together with our Elders, families & communities to ensure the greatness of our many nations is reflected in the greatness of our Australian nation, now and forever.
— Ken Wyatt MP (@KenWyattMP) May 26, 2019
Former environment minister Melissa Price will now be Defence Industry Minister, replacing Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC.
“Melissa and I discussed her role and she asked to be given a new challenge and I was pleased to give her one,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Sunday.
Rural NSW Liberal MP Sussan Ley will be the new Environment Minister.
It’s a return to cabinet for Ms Ley who was in 2017 forced to stand down as health minister after revelations she purchased a Gold Coast apartment while on a work trip.
Michael Sukkar, who quit a previous role in August in a bid to get Peter Dutton into the top job, has been brought in as assistant treasurer to oversee the first home loan deposit scheme.
Nationals MP David Littleproud has been given water resources, natural disasters, and emergency management, while Bridge McKenzie will be the new Agriculture Minister.
Absolutely honoured to be appointed as Minister for Agriculture in the @ScottMorrisonMP government. Looking forward to working with such a fantastic industry and helping it grow to become a $100 billion sector #Agriculture #lovetheregions
— Senator Bridget McKenzie (@senbmckenzie) May 26, 2019
Alan Tudge will be Population Minister, while Richard Colbeck will take Aged Care, Youth, and Sport.
Victorian senator Mitch Fifield will quit the Senate and go to the United Nations as ambassador, after asking to leave.
“I would have been very happy for Mitch to continue to serve in communications and the arts,” Morrison said.
NSW senator Arthur Sinodinos will also replace Joe Hockey as ambassador to the United States.
Media Statement pic.twitter.com/1r3Mg7iCuJ
— Arthur Sinodinos AO (@A_Sinodinos) May 26, 2019
Sinodinos said in a statement, “Joe Hockey is doing an exemplary job in the United States and he will be big shoes to fill.
“It is a privilege to serve the Australian people in this way.”
Linda Reynolds will be Defence Minister, Peter Dutton will remain in Home Affairs, and Dan Tehan will stay in Education.
Josh Frydenberg remains Treasurer, while Mathias Cormann stays on as Finance Minister.
Morrison was given room to promote and reshuffle his ministry after a number of high profile ministers from the Turnbull government retired at the election.
By Angus Livingston
