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Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has on Monday revealed details of his ministerial shuffle, following his federal election victory earlier this month.
Turnbull made minimal changes to positions within the cabinet, however, as touted, the Nationals have secured more portfolio positions as a result of winning more seats at the election for the Liberal-National coalition party.
Despite conservative calls for the reinstatement of former and ousted Prime Minister Tony Abbott onto the front bench, Turnbull left the cabinet largely unchanged, favoring a shuffle within the front bench as opposed to widespread moves from outside of it.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Turnbull said his reshuffle would "ensure the Australian people see their government serving them".
"The team that I'm announcing today will deliver on the economic plan and the budget strategy we put to the Australian people," Turnbull said.
"We are committed to three years of strong, stable economic leadership so that we can provide both the economic security and the national security that Australian both expect and deserve."
Headlining the changes for Turnbull's new-look ministry is the diversification of the "vitally important" Defence portfolio. Incumbent Defence Minister Marise Payne will be joined by Christopher Pyne in the new portfolio of Minister for Defence Industries.
Turnbull said Pyne, former Minister for Innovation and Science, would be looking after key defence developments such as the construction of 12 new naval submarines.
"Mr Pyne will be responsible for overseeing our new defence industry plan which came out of the Defence White Paper," Turnbull said.
"This includes the most significant naval shipbuilding program since the second world war. This is a key national economic development role."
Turnbull said the portfolio went beyond just the responsibility of overseeing naval construction, with responsibilities ranging across a number of key areas.
"This program is vitally important for the future of Australian industry and especially advanced manufacturing," Turnbull said.
"Beyond shipbuilding, there is a massive defence investment and acquisition program on land, in the air and in cyberspace. This investment in defence industry is a key part of our economic plan. "
The move means Marise Payne, the nation's first female Defence Minister, will have to share her duties with Pyne, while Greg Hunt was named as Pyne's replacement as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.
Hunt, previously Environment Minister in both the Turnbull and Abbott governments, was described as an "outstanding" cabinet member, and the PM said it would be Hunt's job to "drive the national innovation and science agenda" pushed by the government as part of its election campaign.
"(Hunt) has a keen understanding of innovation, a keen understanding of science and technology and he will give new leadership to that important portfolio so central to our economic plan," Turnbull said.
In a surprise move, Turnbull abolished the Minister for Environment; as a result Josh Frydenberg will add Environment to his current Energy portfolio to become the wider-ranging Minister for Environment and Energy.
Dan Tehan will become Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security in addition to his role as Minister for Veterans Affairs, while fellow Liberal member Paul Fletcher will take on the outer role of Urban Infrastructure Minister.
As expected, the Nationals gained a number of key portfolios, with Michael McCormack ousting Kelly O'Dwyer as Small Business Minister; Matt Canavan was given the green light as Resources Minister while Luke Hartsuyker, Senator Zed Seselja and Dr David Gillespie all picked up Assistant Minister roles.
Deputy Nationals leader Senator Fiona Nash was also given an expanded role as Minister for Local Government and Territories to go with her current, regional development role.
Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck was demoted from the ministry as it was unsure whether or not he would gain re-election in the Senate.
(APD)
