ScoMo takes aim at youth suicide curse
SCOTT Morrison has urged his new cabinet to work to take on the scourge of youth suicide, which he labelled a “curse on our country”.
The new Coalition frontbench was sworn in by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove at Yarralumla yesterday, 10 days after its stunning election victory.
Seven women were sworn into Cabinet, which is a record level for a Federal Government.
The Prime Minister yesterday told his new team, which includes Ken Wyatt as the first Aboriginal Australian to serve in cabinet as Indigenous Affairs Minister, that his government would be the “curse breakers” of youth suicide.
Mr Wyatt wore a traditional kangaroo skin, called a “booka”, given to him by the Noongar people of southwest WA, to the swearing-in ceremony.
“We have lost too many young people too often too many times,” Mr Morrison said. “And that is something I know we can bring the country together to focus on as we move forward.”
He said the come-from-behind election win was about ensuring Australians could achieve their aspirations.
“This is our task, team. I’m privileged to serve among you. We’re all privileged to serve the Australian people,” Mr Morrison said.
“They will be the centre of our gaze every single day.
“We look forward to bringing the parliament back in July and pushing ahead with this agenda and it’s the agenda for the aspirations of Australians.”
Mr Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack were the first to be sworn in at the ceremony, accompanied by their families.
All of the frontbenchers received an Australian flag stickpin, which Mr Morrison has made a feature of his daily dress-code since taking up the Liberal leadership.
The new Morrison frontbench largely keeps key positions in place but also promotes some first-timers to new roles. all
Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie will be Australia’s first female agriculture minister.
Among the new faces in the ministry are Victorians Jane Hume and Jason Wood, West Australian Ben Morton, Queenslander Trevor Evans and Tasmanian Jonathon Duniam.
Alan Tudge, Anne Ruston, Linda Reynolds, Stuart Robert and Sussan Ley have been promoted to cabinet.
The 46th parliament is expected to open in the first week of July.