Canavan promoted to resources ministry

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promoted little-known Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan to a cabinet position as resources minister, with Josh Frydenberg moving from that role to the portfolios of energy and environment.

The ministerial reshuffle comes after the loss of two ministers in the recent election - former assistant innovation minister Wyatt Roy, and former assistant minister for finance Peter Hendy - while Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck, formerly the tourism and international education minister, is awaiting the outcome of the Senate count in that state.

There were few other major changes in the reshuffle.

Former industry minister Christopher Pyne was moved to a new portfolio, as defence industry minister, to manage the upcoming acquisition of naval ships and submarines, while former environment minister Greg Hunt will be minister for industry, innovation and science.

Paul Fletcher, Liberal MP for Bradfield, will be urban infrastructure minister, while Victorian Senator Scott Ryan will be special minister of state and cabinet secretary.

New South Wales National Michael McCormack will take the small business portfolio from Assistant Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer, who will become revenue and financial services minister.

The five Western Australian ministers were unchanged in their portfolios.

"Karen Andrews will become the assistant minister for vocational education and skills," Mr Turnbull said.

"Alex Hawke will become the assistant minister for immigration and border protection.

"Keith Pitt will become the assistant minister for trade, tourism and investment.

"And Craig Laundy will become the assistant minister for industry, innovation and science.

"There are three new appointments as assistant ministers.

"Luke Hartsuyker will be appointed assistant minister to the Deputy Prime Minister.

"Senator Zed Seselja will be appointed assistant minister for social services and multicultural affairs.

"And Dr David Gillespie will be appointed assistant minister for rural health, a responsibility previously held directly, as you know, by Senator Nash."

Reaction

Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Deidre Willmott welcomed the new cabinet and invited Mr Pyne to visit Western Australia's defence industry firsthand.

“The Western Australian business community looks forward to working with the new cabinet to create economic conditions in which business can thrive,” Ms Willmott said.

“CCI will continue to advocate to cabinet ministers for the tax and industrial relations reforms WA businesses need to boost productivity, create jobs and fuel economic growth.

“In particular, WA business is pleased to note this cabinet has a specific role for Minister for Defence Industry – CCI encourages Christopher Pyne to visit Western Australia as soon as possible in this new capacity to further connect with our dynamic defence and manufacturing sectors.

“The Western Australian business community congratulates Cabinet members and wishes them the best in their endeavours."

Australian Mines and Metals Association chief executive Steve Knott congratulated WA Senator Michaelia Cash for retaining the employment portfolio, and Mr Frydenberg and Mr Canavan on their promotions.

“Since taking on the employment portfolio less than 12 months ago, Minister Cash has successfully secured the passage of the first, and long overdue, amendments to Australia’s workplace relations laws in more than three years,” Mr Knott said.

“The minister has also made highly regarded appointments to the Fair Work Commission, simultaneously improving the proportion of women in the tribunal to one-in-three commissioners.

"The modernisation of the FWC is a work in progress and AMMA encourages Minister Cash to continue to ensure government institutions better reflect the gender composition of the Australian community."