New Australian Gov’t ‘Focused On Tax Reform’

Mr Morrison also claimed, during a heated interview with 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley, that Mr Abbott had also tried to “throw [former Treasurer] Joe Hockey under a bus” by offering Mr Morrison the treasurer job in a last ditch attempt to secure his own leadership. Stuart Robert, formerly Assistant Minister for Defence, becomes Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Human Services.

CPA Australia Alex Malley, who was a critic of the former Abbott/Hockey leadership, says tax reform must be the number one priority for the Turnbull-Morrison partnership.

Women still constitute only one-quarter of the Cabinet – but that is a big increase on 2013, when the newly elected Mr Abbott appointed just one woman.

Abbott’s version of events will likely heighten the anger of his allies within the government ranks who accuse Turnbull and his supporters of treachery.

Mr Abbott also refused to confirm whether he would recontest his seat at the next election and praised the contribution of former treasurer Joe Hockey.

Meanwhile, the former minister for employment, Eric Abetz, has been dropped from the ministry and will no longer serve as the government’s leader in the Senate.

Australia’s first woman defence minister, Marise Payne, is being widely hailed as a good choice at a time when the nation has troops fighting Islamic State, a white paper in its final stages and a looming decision over a $50 billion submarine program.

Prior to taking on his new cabinet position, Mr Fletcher has had a significant role to play in the communications and technology sector as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications in the Abbott government.

Mr Turnbull, who has conducted limited media appearances since replacing Mr Abbott last Monday night, embarked on a blitz of breakfast radio and television ahead of the swearing in of the new ministry.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he has a unique ability to understand how tough things are for Tony Abbott today.

Turnbull has made economic policy a key tenet of his new administration, promising to speak honestly about the country’s challenges as it transitions from mining-led growth following an unprecedented resources investment boom.

Malcolm Turnbull announcing his new cabinet.

Arthur Sinodinos, previously a backbencher, now takes on the role of cabinet secretary.

Turnbull said Hockey would quit politics.

Kelly O’Dwyer is now the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business, both positions traditionally held by men.

Abbott was not included in the new Cabinet.

Briggs was formerly the assistant minister for infrastructure and represents the electorate of Mayo on the outskirts of Adelaide, South Australia, an electorate classified by the Australian Electoral Commission as rural.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said for everyone who is anxious about the GST going up to 15 per cent and being extended to fresh food, school fees and health costs, “the GST’s best champion is now the treasurer of Australia“. At the same time, he must avoid worsening divisions within the party and appease a large group of lawmakers who voted for Mr Abbott to stay in the top job.

MALCOLM Turnbull’s ministry reshuffle is created to achieve some distance from Tony Abbott’s legacy, but not cut off the link altogether.