Boost for women in cabinet reshuffle

The representation of women in Cabinet has increased under the Turnbull Government with five women appointed.

I am delighted to be joined in Cabinet and the National Security Committee by Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Australia's first female defence minister. Fellow Western Australian Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment and Minister for Women, the Hon Kelly O'Dwyer MP, Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer together with the Hon Sussan Ley MP, Minister for Health will join Cabinet.

The Cabinet reshuffle has also strengthened Australia's foreign affairs and trade portfolio, with four Ministers appointed to represent Australia on the world stage.

I will continue in my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs, supported by the Hon Steven Ciobo who has been appointed Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

Mr Ciobo's appointment highlights the importance the Turnbull Government places on Australia's relationship with Pacific Island countries and will strengthen the Government's development focus on economic growth and poverty reduction.

The Hon Andrew Robb will continue in his role as Minister for Trade and Investment, supported by Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Tourism and International Education.

Tourism is at the heart of Australia's international engagement and is our largest services export sector. The appointment of Mr Colbeck highlights the importance of tourism and international education to our foreign affairs and trade agenda.

Western Australia will also have its strongest voice in the nation's capital in decades following the appointment of four Western Australian members to Cabinet.

I will be joined in Cabinet by Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance; Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment and Minister for Women; and The Hon Christian Porter, Minister for Social Services.

Ken Wyatt, Member for Hasluck, will make history as the first indigenous Australian appointed to the executive as Assistant Minister for Health, joining the Hon Michael Keenan MP, Minister for Justice.