Fresh faces in Cabinet line-up

New ministry sworn in

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s new “21st century” ministerial line-up was sworn in at a ceremony at Government House yesterday.

An expanded Cabinet of 21 – up from 19 – including five women, took an oath of affirmation of office in front of their families, colleagues and a few restless children.

The nation’s first female Defence Minister, Marise Payne, received rousing applause, as did Small Business Minister Kelly O’Dwyer and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash, also elevated to Cabinet.

Other fresh faces around the Cabinet table include Victorian MP Josh Frydenberg, who was promoted to Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia; South Australian senator Simon Birmingham, who will take on the portfolio of Education and Training; and Victorian senator Mitch Fifield, who will serve as Minister for Communications and the Arts.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Trade Minister Andrew Robb will remain in their positions, taking the number of Victorians in Cabinet to five.

Other Victorians in the ministry include Aston MP Alan Tudge and Nationals MP Darren Chester, who will serve as assistant ministers, and senator Scott Ryan, who takes on the position of Assistant Cabinet bind Secretary.

At just 25, Queensland Liberal MP Wyatt Roy was as sworn in as Assistant Minister er for Innovation.

Speaking before the ceremony,erisas the new Prime Minister said his team was determined to ensure that at Australia “seizes the opportunities nng of this, the most exciting times in human history”.

After the pomp and ceremony erok was over, the new-look ministry posed on the front nt steps of Government Housese for the traditional group photo.to.

Ms O’Dwyer – whose fourmonth-old, urhe Olivia, stole the show – said she was a “strongng and proud Victorian” and was as honoured to join the ministerialisorry team.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to serve and I am very excited to join my colleagues es around the Cabinet table,” shehe said.

Senator Fifield said he was looking forward to working with stakeholders and supporting the “thriving arts sector”.

“The pace of change has never been so rapid,” he said.

“The government is supporting innovation and productivity, including transforming the delivery of government services through the Digital Transformation Office, and looking at making more government data available, which will unlock significant opportunities.”