Prime Minister Tony Abbott praised his new frontbench line-up which he hopes will revive his government’s fortunes in the New Year.
His new ministry was sworn in on Tuesday by Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in Canberra, following the major reshuffle announced at the weekend.
“I congratulate all of you and I hope that you can have a restful break,” the governor general said at the swearing-in ceremony.
“I know 2015 will be a busy year. Again, congratulations and merry Christmas.”
Mr Abbott hopes the new cabinet will give is government a fresh start in 2015 after a rocky few months.
“These ministerial changes will put jobs and families at the heart of the government’s agenda for 2015,” he said.
“This is a government which is committed to building a stronger and more prosperous economy for a safe and secure Australia.”
“We are all acutely conscious of the honour of serving our country as ministers of the crown and as members of your executive council. We pledge ourselves to serve the people of Australia to the very best of our ability,” he added.
Labor opposition spokesman, Brendan O’Connor, criticised the re-shuffle, saying Tony Abbott was more concerned about cabinet jobs than jobs for ordinary Australians.
“There’s no point reshuffling the chairs on the good ship Abbott if there’s not a jobs plan articulated by this government,” he said.
Cabinet shuffle: Tony Abbott’s new-look team at a glance
Scott Morrison moves from Immigration to Social Services
Kevin Andrews moves from Social Services to Defence.
Now former Defence Minister, David Johnson, has been dumped from Cabinet
Peter Dutton moves from Health to Immigration
Sussan Ley takes over Health from Dutton, replacing Johnson in the senior team, joining Julie Bishop as the only two women heading up senior ministries.
Julie Bishop maintains Foreign Affairs while Steve Ciobo takes over from Brett Mason who has been dumped as DFAT Parliamentary Secretary.
Ian Macfarlane maintains Industry but now adds Science, which was not a part of Mr Abbott’s first ministry.
Christopher Pyne likewise has Skills & Training now included with his Education portfolio.
Simon Birmingham is now Assistant Education Minister, promoted from Parliamentary Secretary to the Environment
Following Arthur Sinodinos’s resignation, Josh Frydenberg takes over as Assistant Treasurer to Joe Hockey who remains as Treasurer.
Bob Baldwin is now Parliamentary Secretary for Environment while Christian Porter, Kelly O’Dwyer and Karen Andrews also become Parliamentary Secretaries.
IMAGE: (L-R) Ian Macfarlane, Scott Morrison, Christopher Pyne and Tony Abbott during the swearing-in ceremony for the re-shuffled ministry, at Government House on December 23, 2014 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)
