Malcolm Turnbull’s new ministry: Australia's first female defence minister, first Indigenous Frontbencher

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced his new cabinet, pushing Human Services Minister Marise Payne as Australia's first female defence minister and dropping Kevin Andrews.

Andrews has expressed his disappointment over Turnbull’s refusal to work with him. "Mr Turnbull's decision now means there have been more defence ministers in Australia than prime ministers in the last three years." he added.

Scott Morrison has bagged the treasury portfolio, replacing Joe Hockey who hasn’t sought a new ministry and will be resigning from the parliament soon. Eric Abetz, who headed the employment ministry, has also been dumped from the frontbench, reported ABC. Christopher Pyne has been named the minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, while Michaelia Cash was named the minister for Women as well as minister for Employment and will be assisting Mr Turnbull for the Public Service.

Senator Arthur Sinodinos, who was a long-serving chief of staff to former Prime Minister John Howard, has been named as Mr Turnbull's Cabinet Secretary, and Scott Ryan will be the assistant Cabinet secretary. Ian Macfarlane, who was the former minister for Industry and Science, has also been dumped from Cabinet, as Mr Turnbull promotes his supporters and women to senior roles.

As Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss, Environment minister Greg Hunt, Health Minister Sussan Ley and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton retain their current position in the cabinet, Kelly O’Dwyer has been announced as the new assistant treasurer and minister for small business, replacing Bruce Billson, who has otherwise received praise for his work.

According to the ABC , Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is all set to become the minister for resources, energy and Northern Australia. Meanwhile, Ken Wyatt has been announced as the Australia's first Indigenous Government frontbencher taking up the role of assistant health minister.

Senator Simon Birmingham has been given the responsibility to handle the education portfolio, and Mitch Fifield has bagged the role of junior minister and received a promotion to Cabinet as minister for communications and the arts. MP Christian Porter will be presiding over the Social Services portfolio,which was earlier handled by Morrison.

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