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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled his new ministry, appointing new leads for the defence and defence industry portfolios.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has been named as the new minister for defence, succeeding Peter Dutton in the portfolio.
Minister Marles had served as shadow minister for defence for a stint in opposition but was replaced prior to the election by Brendan O’Connor after being elevated to deputy leader of the Labor Party.
Brendan O'Connor has left the defence portfolio, and will assume the role as the minister for skills and training.
Other key ministerial appointments across the defence and national security portfolios include:
- Pat Conroy will serve as the minister for defence industry and the minister for international development and the Pacific;
- Clare O'Neil will be the minister for home affairs and cyber security;
- Matt Keogh, who served as shadow minister for defence industry, has been named as the minister for veterans’ affairs and the minister for defence personnel;
- Ed Husic will be the minister for industry and science; and
- Matt Thistlethwaite will be the assistant minister for defence and the assistant minister for veterans’ affairs.
These are in addition to the senior ministerial appointments announced shortly after the federal election, with Penny Wong named as foreign minister, Jim Chalmers as treasurer, and Katy Gallagher as finance minister.
The announcement of the Albanese government's ministry comes just a day after Peter Dutton was elected unopposed as leader of the federal Liberal Party alongside deputy leader Sussan Ley.
The Nationals have also named a new leader, electing David Littleproud to replace Barnaby Joyce.
Senator for NSW Perin Davey will serve as the deputy leader of the Nationals.
[Related: Dutton confirmed as opposition leader, defends strong stance on China]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
