This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Turnbull Reshuffle: Hunt To Health

The Prime Minister says he is 'ideally suited' to the new job.

CANBERRA -- The "Best Minister in the World" at the 2016 World Government Summit, Greg Hunt, has been appointed Health Minister in a minor ministerial reshuffle which has reduced the Turnbull Cabinet by one position and by one woman.

The ministerial movements - Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's fourth reshuffle in 16 months - have been forced by the resignation of Sussan Ley over a travel entitlements furore, which is still being investigated.

Hunt is seen as reliable and a "damage control" minister, although the Victorian MP has had question marks over his own taxpayer funded travel.

For Turnbull, there was no room for a female elevation in the inner or outer ministry and no space for former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who remains on the backbench.

Announcing the changes in Sydney, Turnbull praised Hunt as having "strong policy, analytical and communication skills, developed over a very long front bench career."

Previously a long-term Environment spokesperson for the Coalition, Hunt had been in in the Industry position for just over six months. He said he was "deeply honoured" to take on the role.

The Victorian MP was awarded the inaugural "Best Minister in the World" title last February at the World Government Summit hosted by the United Arab Emirates.

Prime Minister's statement announcing the new ministerial arrangements #auspolpic.twitter.com/p37ERbRuJz

β€” Political Alert (@political_alert) January 17, 2017

"He is ideally suited to take on the very important, critically important front line portfolio of health and sport," Turnbull told reporters.

Labor's health spokeswoman Catherine King hopped onto Twitter to tweet a "helpful" to-do list for the new minister.

"Drop the Turnbull Government's health cuts. Reverse the Medicare freeze," she suggested.

Things seem to be starting off well between Labor's health spokeswoman Catherine King and incoming Health Minister Greg Hunt #auspolpic.twitter.com/dkv2eSU37e

β€” Jane Norman (@janeenorman) January 17, 2017

Hunt replied without specifically responding, tweeting to King that he looked "forward to working with yourself."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also decided to offer some "handy" advice.

While the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has warned Hunt faces many challenges from day one in his new job.

"The AMA would like to see Mr Hunt get off to a flying start by scrapping the Government's freeze of Medicare patient rebates, which is causing great hardship for patients and doctors," AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon said.

With Hunt's move, Senator Arthur Sinodinos has shifted from Cabinet Secretary to Hunt's Industry portfolio. The cabinet secretary function will now return to the Prime Minister's office, reducing the size of Turnbull's Cabinet by one.

The Aged Care portfolio, which was held by Sussan Ley with Health and Sport, has been given to Assistant Health Minister Ken Wyatt.

This makes Wyatt the Minister for Aged Care and the Minister for Indigenous health, although Hunt will represent Aged Care in Cabinet.

Ken Wyatt continues to make history. First Indig man to be elected to House of Reps, first to be promoted to ministry #auspol

β€” Myles Morgan (@ImMylesMorgan) January 17, 2017

In another appointment of note, Michael Sukkar becomes the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer.

"These changes will further strengthen my ministry by combining experience and new talent," Turnbull declared.

Turnbull has defended not using the opportunity to elevate a female MP after the loss of Sussan Ley.

"I have appointed more women to my cabinet than any previous Coalition leader," he said.

"I am very committed to having strong representation of women in the ministry. I have demonstrated that by my actions."

Amid continuing public outrage at the expenses system for parliamentarians, the Prime Minister reaffirmed commitment to reform.

"We need to have greater transparency, greater accountability, monthly reporting will be very important," he promised.

"I will shake this up, I can tell you. There is a big cultural change on the way. It is underway already."

On allegations he spent taxpayer money on family holidays, Hunt responded by saying media reports had not "correctly assessed" his travel claims.

The Minister said on trips to south east Queensland he had visited sewerage treatment plants and worked with environment groups and councils.

The Prime Minister has again stated he will not release the report by head of his Department into Ley's spending.

Ley resigned from the frontbench last week amid an ongoing expenses scandal, despite claiming she had not broken any rules.

The new ministers will be sworn in by the Governor-General in Canberra next Tuesday.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.