By Elishya Perera
SYDNEY, Australia (CWBN)_Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a limited Cabinet reshuffle for a post-pandemic economic recovery.
While the number of ministers at 22, remain unchanged, several key posts including treasurer, defence, foreign affairs and home affairs were also left untouched.
However, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham was appointed to overlook the finance portfolio, following the retirement of Finance Minister Mathias Cormann. Accordingly, Education Minister Dan Tehan will move to the key trade portfolio.
Morrison said that amidst the growing trade dispute with China, Tehan is well qualified to overlook the trade portfolio of the country. “Dan brings incredibly strong credentials to this role as a former officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as a keen sense of the particular interests of regional and rural Australia in open, rules-based trading systems,” he said.
Meanwhile, aged care will be elevated into the Cabinet, in the wake of the pandemic, which has prompted scathing reviews of the sector. Accordingly, Health Minister Greg Hunt will represent the portfolio at the Cabinet, although junior minister Richard Colbeck will retrain responsibilities in the area.
“That is important that we elevate aged care into the cabinet because of the seriousness of this issue, the size and scale of the reform program that will need to be implemented post the royal commission report,” Morrison said. “So, I’m preparing for that by ensuring that the aged care portfolio is held at the highest level it can be.”
Other Cabinet changes announced by the Prime Minister includes Alan Tudge being appointed as the Minister of Education and Youth, Paul Fletcher taking over the Communications portfolio, former SAS officer Andrew Hastie being appointed assistant minister for defence, and David Coleman taking over mental health and suicide prevention.
