First Turnbull Ministry Announced; More Women Into Cabinet, Abbott Supporters Axed

Sep 20, 2015

Malcolm Turnbull has announced the composition of his ministry, five days after being sworn in as prime minister.

As expected, Joe Hockey has been replaced as Treasurer by Scott Morrison. Hockey is expected to be appointed Ambassador to the United States, replacing former Labor leader Kim Beazley in the new year.

Five women will be in the Cabinet, an increase of three. Senator Maris Payne becomes Defence Minister, whilst Senator Michaelia Cash will be the Minister for Women. They will be joined by Kelly O’Dwyer as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business.

Turnbull has sacked a number of Abbott supporters. The most prominent casualties are Defence Minister Kevin Andrews and the Senate leader and Workplace Relations Minister Eric Abetz.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson has been left out of the ministry, as has Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane. The Special Minister of State, Senator Michael Ronaldson, has also been dropped.

This is the official list of ministers released by the Prime Minister’s office:


Filed Under: Liberal Party, Ministries, Turnbull Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Cormann Appears To Confirm Deficit Levy In Budget; Unease On Government Backbench

May 07, 2014

The Minister for Finance, Senator Mathias Cormann, has appeared to confirm that the federal government will introduce a deficit levy in next week’s Budget.

Cormann

Speaking at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting today, Cormann maintained the government’s line on what it says is a budget emergency. He said that people on high incomes had to play their part through what he termed “appropriately targeted measures”.

Cormann promoted a booklet titled “Labor’s Mess” that he said has been produced by Liberal backbencher Kelly O’Dwyer. In fact, the booklet is authorised by the Federal Director of the Liberal Party, Brian Loughnane. It appears on a Liberal Party website authorised by Loughnane. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Audio, Budget Tagged With: , , , , ,

Kelly O’Dwyer (Lib-Higgins) – Maiden Speech

Feb 08, 2010

This is the first speech to the House of Representatives of Kelly O’Dwyer, the Liberal member for Higgins.

She was elected at a by-election on December 5, 2009, following the retirement of Peter Costello.

Higgins is south-eastern suburban electorate in Melbourne. It stretches from South Yarra and Toorak in the north-west to Hughesdale and Murrumbeena in the south-east. It includes Armadale, Malvern, Kooyong and parts of Glen Iris.

Created in 1949, Higgins has been represented by Harold Holt (1949-67) who was Treasurer and then Prime Minister. Upon his death, he was succeeded by John Gorton (1968-75), who was also prime minister. Peter Costello (1990-2009) was Treasurer in the Howard government.

O’Dwyer, a lawyer, was adviser to Costello before entering parliament. She also worked as an executive of the National Australia bank. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Liberal Party, Maiden Speeches, Video Tagged With: , , ,