June 28, 2021
Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has retained his Agriculture portfolio in the reshuffle announced by National Party leader Barnaby Joyce at the weekend.
Mr Littleproud – who kept his Deputy leadership role during last week’s spill vote – has also taken over responsibility for Northern Australia, a portfolio previously held by Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt (Qld).
Mr Littleproud’s former portfolio of Drought and Emergency Management has been handed to Senator Bridget McKenzie (Victoria), who will also take over Regional Education, Regional Communication, and Regionalisation.
Regionalisation is the new name for the Decentralisation portfolio previously held by Member for Calare Andrew Gee (NSW).
Mr Gee, who also formerly had Regional Education, has been promoted to the Front Bench, taking over Veteran Affairs and Defence Personnel from Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who has been demoted to the backbench.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton – who formerly had Regional Communication as well as Regional Health and Local Government – has also been sent to the backbench.
Both Mr Coulton (NSW) and Mr Chester (Vic) publicly backed former Nationals’ leader Michael McCormack ahead of the party room vote that elected Mr Joyce.
Mr Pitt, who is also believed to have backed Mr McCormack, has retained the portfolios of Resources and Water, however he will no longer sit in Cabinet.
Member for Lyne David Gillespie (NSW) has taken over Regional Health and Member for Page Kevin Hogan (NSW) now has Local Government.
Mr Joyce will take on the role of Regional Infrastructure.
The new Ministerial roles will take effect after the MPs are sworn-in by the Governor-General.
