A new-look ministry – who's who in the Nationals reshuffle

Prime Minster Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack today announced a new-look ministry in the wake of the Nationals leadership challenge and the sports grants scandal.

The reshaped ministry includes a significant boost for the representation of regional Queensland and NSW.

The ministry includes promotions for two Nationals MPs after the resignation of Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Agriculture, and Matt Canavan, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, from their portfolio responsibilities.

Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, will move into Cabinet with the Mining, Resources, Water and Northern Australia portfolios. Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Pitt was an electrical engineer and cane grower. He is informally known as the ‘Bundy Ambassador’ due to his electorate of Hinkler including the Bundaberg Rum distillery.

Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, will return to Cabinet as Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel. The position has been elevated to Cabinet following the Government’s announcement yesterday of the appointment of a permanent National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention, reporting to Parliament annually.

In addition to these Cabinet appointments, a number of Nationals received promotions in the reshuffle.

Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, the new Deputy Leader of the Nationals, will add agriculture to his existing portfolio responsibilities of drought and emergency management. His water portfolio has been transferred to Mr Pitt in the reshuffle.

Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, the previous Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister will be promoted to the outer ministry taking on the regional education and decentralisation portfolios. He will also serve as Assistant Minister for Trade and Investment.

Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton will take on the regional health, regional communications and local government roles in the outer ministry.

Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry will add responsibilities as Assistant Minister for Northern Australia to her existing role as Assistant Minister for Children and Families. Ms Landry is the only female Nationals politician to have ministerial responsibility.

Kevin Hogan, Member for Page, will join the Nationals’ executive leadership group as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister.

Senator McKenzie retains her position as Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, and Senator Canavan has remained Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate.

Jennifer Kirk is an Associate Director in Purple’s Government Relations team and spent more than seven years in Canberra working for the Commonwealth Department of Finance, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Commonwealth Treasury. If you need help mapping out your government engagement, contact Jennifer.

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