The Nationals will continue our focus on delivering for the more than 8 million Australians who live in rural and regional areas with strong representation in key portfolios in the Liberal and Nationals Government.
In addition to responsiblities as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, I will add Regional Development. This continues the decades-long work of The Nationals in delivering critical infrastructure and investment in regional communities to help build a vibrant and resilient regional Australia.
Deputy Nationals’ Leader Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie will become the Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation and will build upon our commitment to ensure regional Australia has the Government services in health, education and communications – including jobs through decentralisation – which The Nationals believe they deserve.
Leader of The Nationals in the Senate the Hon Nigel Scullion will continue as Minister for Indigenous Affairs. Senator the Hon Matt Canavan will continue as the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia and the Hon David Littleproud MP will continue as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources.
Our Cabinet team is a strong, united voice for the regions and I look forward to continuing the good work in such critical portfolios into the future.
The Hon Darren Chester MP will continue as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC in such an important year for the Centenary of World War I. Minister Chester will continue in the role of Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives.
The Hon Mark Coulton MP continues his vital work as the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.
Member for Mallee Mr Andrew Broad MP will serve as my Assistant Minister in the Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development portfolio. Andrew’s background in agriculture and small business brings a further practical passion for regional Australia into our Ministerial team and I look forward to his contribution.
Member for Capricornia Ms Michelle Landry MP will become the Assistant Minister for Children and Families working on the critical areas of responding to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and and adoption, adding another passionate Central Queensland voice into our leadership team after her great work as the Party’s Chief Whip.
I am also pleased to announce the Prime Minister and I have appointed the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP as a Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery. This crippling drought in regional Australia is taking hold across more of our country and we as a Government are looking at any and every opportunity to apply resources to help our farmers and the communities who support them. Mr Joyce’s role will assist that of Drought Co-ordinator Major General Stephen Day DSC AM in listening to those who are affected by this long dry spell.
I thank the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP and the Hon Keith Pitt MP for their outstanding service to the Ministry and look forward to continuing to work with them and The Nationals’ team as we keep delivering for local communities and regional people in Government.
In welcoming new faces to the team, I am confident The Nationals’ Ministry is a passionate and energetic team to continue our delivery for rural and regional Australia and ensure the Australians who live outside the cities continue to have their voices heard at the centre of Government alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party.
The Ministry will be sworn in on Tuesday in Canberra.
