The week that was in Parliament

After a whirlwind week, Scott Morrison, ascends to the role of Prime Minister from his previous role as Treasurer. Prime Minister Scott Morrison wasted no time in announcing his Ministry, featuring a mixture of both new and familiar faces. Mr Morrison said the “new generation team” will offer stability, while also beginning the work of “healing” and tackling big challenges with new ideas.

Joining the new Prime Minister in the leadership team as Deputy Liberal Leader is Josh Frydenberg, former Minister for Energy and the Environment who is now the Treasurer.

Greg Hunt – who backed Peter Dutton in the leadership contest – remains Minister for Health. MTAA welcomes Mr Hunt remaining in the health portfolio given the heavy reform agenda, stakeholders will benefit from the continuity.

The latest Newspoll comes off the back of the leadership spill which shows the Coalition’s primary vote dropping four points to 33 per cent and the two-party-preferred split between the Coalition and Labor increasing, from 49-51 in favour of Labor a fortnight ago to 44-56 now.

Scott Morrison is planning to stick with the government's commitment to the Paris climate change targets. This is despite Conservatives in the government wanting to abandon the commitment entirely, but to do so would jeopardise any prospect of a free trade deal with the European Union.

Other key changes include:

Former Defence Minister Marise Payne has been appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Two newcomers to Cabinet in Angus Taylor as Energy Minister and WA MP Melissa Price as Minister for the Environment. The PM has also rewarded key supporters Paul Fletcher and Karen Andrews with Cabinet positions, with the pair taking on Families and Social Services, and Industry, Science and Technology, respectively.

Peter Dutton remains Home Affairs Minister, albeit in a reduced role, with his previous portfolio of Immigration given to newcomer David Coleman in an outer ministry role, along with Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.

Mathias Cormann stays on as Minister for Finance and Leader of the Government in the Senate, while Dan Tehan has been appointed Education Minister and will take over the Government’s negotiations with the Catholic schools sector. Meanwhile, Senator Simon Birmingham is the new Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Christopher Pyne becomes Defence Minister, supported by Steven Ciobo as Defence Industry Minister.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will be stepping down from his seat of Wentworth causing another by-election and former Foreign Minister and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Julie Bishop will remain on the backbench until the next election.

 

•                 Kelly O’Dwyer appointed Minister for Jobs, Industrial Relations and Women

•                 Senator Michaelia Cash appointed Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education

•                 Alan Tudge becomes Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population

•                 Alex Hawke and Stuart Robert are rewarded with positions in the Outer Ministry as Special Minister of State and Assistant Treasurer, respectively

•                 Senator Zed Seselja retains a position in the Executive, as Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance

•                 Senator Anne Ruston replaces Concetta Fierravanti-Wells as Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific

•                 Former Health Minister Sussan Ley re-joins the ministry as Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories

•                 Senator Richard Colbeck returns to the Executive as Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

•                 New Assistant Ministers include David Fawcett, Steve Irons, Andrew Broad, Sarah Henderson and Michelle Landry