PM picks younger front bench with no substantial concessions to his right wing critics

MALCOLM “Delivery Man” Turnbull today announced a young ministry with no room for the old guard.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has named his ministry.

MALCOLM “Delivery Man” Turnbull today announced a young ministry with no room for the old guard of Tony Abbott, Kevin Andrews and other critics.

The Prime Minister boosted the power of South Australia’s Christopher Pyne by putting him in charge of Defence Industry and more than $100 billion in spending.

Greg Hunt, who has managed the government’s frequently criticised environment policy, will cross the line to become Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science when he and other ministers are sworn in tomorrow.

They will then prepare for the opening of the new Parliament on August 30.

There were no signs of the Prime Minister placating the Liberal right wing with plush appointments. The most significant promotion from the right’s ranks was Zed Seselja, who was given Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs.

There were no demotions from cabinet, but some ministers changed jobs.

Josh Frydenberg will move to the expanded Environment and Energy Portfolio, combining all the key energy policy areas.

The Prime Minister repeated his pledge of the past few days for “a government which will deliver”.

“The team I am announcing today will deliver on the economic plan and the Budget strategy we took to the Australian people,” he told reporters.

He said the priorities for Parliament would be the revival of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the legislation which triggered the double dissolution election.

He also wants to amend the Fair Work Act to protect Victoria’s volunteer firefighters from unionised professionals, and begin Budget repair.

“Budget repair will be a front-of-mind issue for this entire Parliament,” said Mr Turnbull.

He said: “This is a term of government for delivery. We will be judged (at the next election) in 2019 by the Australian people as to whether we have delivered on the plans and the programs and the investments we have promised and set out and described in the lead-up to the election (on July 2).”

And, given Labor’s campaign on Medicare, the PM pledged a “first class universal health system” in consultation with doctors.

Nationals’ Senator Fiona Nash will be the most multi-tasking minister. She will get Local Government and Territories in addition to her to her regional development roles in Regional development, and Regional Communications — the bush issues.

Christopher Pyne will be appointed to the new role of Minister for Defence Industry, within the Defence Portfolio, responsible for managing the Defence Industry Plan — including the most significant naval shipbuilding program since World War II.

The Nationals were due a new cabinet member and Senator Matt Canavan will be Minister for Resources and Northern Australia.

Kelly O’Dwyer, currently Assistant Treasurer, will become Minister for Revenue and Financial Services.

Small Business, previously held by Ms O’Dwyer, has been taken out of cabinet and gone to Michael McCormack in the outer ministry.

Mr Turnbull insisted “we all will be small business ministers” and denied the sector had been downgraded.

Paul Fletcher will become the Minister for Urban Infrastructure in charge of policy on Western Sydney Airport.

Senator Scott Ryan will become Special Minister of State in the Finance Portfolio.

Dan Tehan will become the Minister for Defence Personnel, in conjunction with his ongoing role as Minister for Veterans Affairs. He also will be the first Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security.

Among Assistant Ministers — formerly known as Parliamentary secretaries — Karen Andrews will become the Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills; Alex Hawke will become the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection; Keith Pitt will become the Assistant Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism; and Craig Laundy will become the Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.

In new appointments, former minister Luke Hartsuyker will be appointed Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister; Senator Seselja will be appointed Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs; and Dr David Gillespie will be appointed Assistant Minister for Rural Health.

It’s the biggest inner cabinet since 1975, by one calculation, as Nationals are added. There will be 23 in the cabinet compared to 22 back 41 years ago.

Originally published as PM picks younger front bench with no substantial concessions to his right wing critics