Australian Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott announces first ministerial appointments
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Australia's Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott announced his new ministry appointments yesterday.
The list shows former deputy leader of the Liberal Party Julie Bishop MP as the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, whilst Warren Truss MP, the leader of the National Party of Australia, has been positioned as the deputy prime minister.
Other placements include Joe Hockey MP as treasurer, Malcolm Turnbull MP as Minister for Communications, and Barnaby Joyce MP as Minister for Agriculture.
The announcement also sees some newly placed ministers making their cabinet debuts, including Senator Mathias Cormann as the Minister for Finance and Member for Cook Scott Morrison taking up the role of Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. In an interview with local paper the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, Mr Morrison was quoted as being "proud to be the first member for cook to serve in the cabinet".
Mr Abbott remarked, "This is the team that builds on a strong and effective, united and cohesive opposition." Regarding the lack of women members in the cabinet, Mr Abbott said he was "disappointed" but did hint that there were "some very good and talented women knocking on the door of the cabinet and there are lots of good and talented women knocking on the door of the ministry."
Mr Abbott is set to be sworn into his role as Australia's 28th Prime Minister tomorrow.
Sources
- Ben Packham. "Tony Abbott says his new ministry has 'enormous stability', but admits there are too few women" — The Australian, September 16, 2013
- Murray Trembath. "Morrison to be become new immigration minister" — St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, September 16, 2013
- "First Abbott Ministry" — The Australian, September 16, 2013
- Latika Bourke. "Tony Abbott to unveil ministry: Mathias Cormann to be promoted, Bronwyn Bishop nominated for Speaker" — ABC News (Australia), September 16, 2013