Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has engaged in his latest ritualised bloodletting ceremony announced the new makeup of his political team during this weekend’s cabinet reshuffle.
While the last re-tooling of the Coalition was spurred by the ascendant Turnbull and his need to fill the ranks with his own troops, this one’s largely come about through a series of unrelated happenings: notably, former Nationals leader Warren Truss‘ retirement catapulted Barnaby Joyce into leading the Nats – and into a plum gig as Deputy Prime Minister.
Her appointment makes six women in the cabinet, up one from the previous team, and equals the number of women present in Kevin Rudd’s 2013 cabinet ranks.
ICYMI: Andrew Robb tell us he wants to focus on mental health after he retires from politics https://t.co/HcwKQAmVnl #auspol #abc730
— abc730 (@abc730) February 10, 2016
Elsewhere, other cabinet appointments have been less ceremonious. Mal Brough downed tools today following the lengthy saga around his diary-copying allegations; Dan Tehan is taking over as Minister for Defence Material and Minister for Veterans Services in his wake. Likewise, Alan Tudge is stepping up as Minister for Human Services after Stuart Roberts’ recent resignation.
Feel free to take score of all the changes below, before they’re all sworn in this Thursday:
And here’s the full ministry, including the one who haven’t changed roles #reshuffle @abcnews pic.twitter.com/pjzEeM6AAW
— Matthew Doran (@MattDoran91) February 13, 2016
Photo: Stefan Postles / Getty.