Malcolm Turnbull unveils ministry reshuffle
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this afternoon announced his frontbench reshuffle in the wake of a series of recent retirements and resignations.
Turnbull took the opportunity to emphasise the roles of his younger and female colleagues on the newly announced frontbench.
The PM stating: "a dynamic team which combines youth, new talent, experience, continuity, and a real sense of innovation and enterprise".
When questioned about the reshuffle Turnbull discussed the replacements for the two most experienced ministers, Warren Truss and Andrew Robb.
"Organisms that don't change are dead so you've got to be prepared to change. You've got to be prepared to innovate, that's why I talk about innovation all the time, that's why I talk about enterprise."
"This is the most rapidly changing time in the world's history and organisations, governments, media organisations, perhaps, even, should always be prepared to look at new talent and bring it up."
The PM also proudly announced: “There are six women in the Cabinet and 10 in the executive and both deputy leaders of Liberal and the National Party are women for the first time in the Coalition’s history.”
"It's a team that's focused on Australia's future, focused on the policies that will encourage innovation and enterprise," he said.
The following changes have been announced for Minister roles:
*Steve Ciobo takes the Trade portfolio from Andrew Robb, who moves into a special envoy role
*Darren Chester replaces outgoing Nationals leader Warren Truss as Infrastructure and Transport Minister
*Nationals deputy leader Fiona Nash adds Regional Development and Regional Communications to her role
*Senator Scott Ryan steps up as Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, replacing Luke Hartsukyer
*Mathias Cormann will be adding Special Minister of State to his role
*Alan Tudge becomes Human Services Minister
*Dan Tehan will take Minister for Defence Materiel and Minister for Veterans Services
*Concetta Fierravanti-Wells takes Minister for International Development and the Pacific
*Queensland senator Matt Canavan becomes Minister for Northern Australia
Parliamentary Secretaries or Assistant Ministers changes:
*Keith Pitt takes Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister (Barnaby Joyce)
*Craig Laundy will be Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs
*Jane Prentice will be Assistant Minister for Disability Services, working alongside Christian Porter
*Angus Taylor will be Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister with a special responsibility for Cities and Digital Transformation
*Peter Hendy will be Assistant Minister for Finance and Assistant Cabinet Secretary
*James McGrath will take on additional duties as Assistant Minister for Immigration
*Nationals MP Michael McCormack becomes Assistant Minister for Defence
It was announced earlier today that Mal Brough had formally resigned from the front bench ahead of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's major reshuffle.
He had stood aside as Special Minister of State just after Christmas pending a federal police investigation into the copying of Peter Slipper's official diaries when he was Speaker.
Mr Brough, who was also defence materiel and science minister, will now be replaced on the front bench.
Mr Brough told Mr Turnbull earlier on Saturday that he would resign because "it's going to take several months for the AFP to conclude its inquiry."
"The nation deserves to have all the ministry positions filled and so the public can understand who they're voting for," he told reporters.
