The Abbott government has been sworn in today in Canberra.
Whilst the new Prime Minister announced the composition of the ministry two days ago, the Administrative Arrangements Order has just been issued. It was one of the first acts of the new government at its inaugural meeting of the Executive Council.
The Order sets out which departments and agencies will be administered by particular ministers. This is what Sir Humphrey Appleby would call “the real reshuffle”.
The Order also allocates responsibility for each piece of Commonwealth legislation to a specific minister.
