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PM reshuffles cabinet to raise the role of women
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a new cabinet as part of a reshuffle aimed at resetting the gender debate that has ensued as a result of a string of recent scandals.
PM reshuffles cabinet to raise the role of women
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a new cabinet as part of a reshuffle aimed at resetting the gender debate that has ensued as a result of a string of recent scandals.
Scott Morrison announced Marise Payne’s appointment as the “prime minister for women” in a brief blunder on Monday, with the senior Liberal actually set to take up the position of Minister for Women on top of her existing role as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Ms Payne will also lead a new taskforce with the primary responsibility to draw together “the many different women who have been given ministerial responsibilities”, Mr Morrison told the media on Monday.
“What I’m simply saying is I’ve given Marise a leadership responsibility among the women in our cabinet and across our ministry to pull it all together in the same way that I do across all areas of the government. So, I think, to be fair, that characterisation I don’t think reflects what I was saying,” Mr Morrison said in defence of the prime ministerial title he briefly gave Ms Payne.
On her agenda, he clarified, will be key issues involving women’s equality, women’s safety, women’s economic security, women’s health and wellbeing.
“This taskforce will be co-chaired by Minister Payne and I. It will comprise all female members of my ministry, and there is quite a number. It will also be joined by the portfolio ministers from what is known as the Central Agency – the Treasurer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance,” Mr Morrison said.
Further changes to Morrison’s cabinet include the appointment of Michaelia Cash as the next Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, following Christian Porter’s decision to launch a defamation action against the ABC.
The PM also announced the creation of a new portfolio called Minister for Women’s Safety, with Anne Ruston, who’s also the Social Services Minister, set to take lead.
Ms Ruston is also joining the leadership team in the government, which consists of the 10 most-senior ministers who meet on a regular basis.
In other changes, Mr Morrison has also elevated Karen Andrews to the Home Affairs office, as Peter Dutton takes on the role of Defence Minister.
Moreover, Linda Reynolds will remain in cabinet and will take on the portfolio of Government Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, while Melissa Price will be returning to cabinet while staying in her Defence Industry portfolio.
“Those five ministers will join, of course, Minister Payne and Minister Ley, who will continue on in their roles as Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women and Sussan Ley as Minister for the Environment. And as you know, Minister Ley also has the House duty responsibilities for Minister for Women,” the PM said.
“Jane Hume will take on the additional portfolio in the outer Ministry of Women’s Economic Security, and Amanda Stoker will take on the additional role of, she’s currently Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, she will add to that Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industrial Relations, as well as Assistant Minister to the Minister for Women.
“Minister Payne will effectively become the leader of that group of women,” he reiterated.
The full federal government cabinet reshuffle is as follows:
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