Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a cabinet reshuffle today, as he moves to solidify his leadership team ahead of next year’s election.
Member for Hume Angus Taylor, who will remain in his energy portfolio, will add to his responsibilities by replacing Christian Porter as industry minister. Porter quit after disclosing that he’d accepted an anonymous donation to help cover legal fees in a defamation case.
Thanking the Prime Minister for his appointment, Mr Taylor said, “As Minister, I will build on the Morrison Government’s work to promote and support Australian industry to ensure we have a strong, local manufacturing sector that is growing and creating more jobs.
“The Morrison Government is strengthening Australia’s sovereign capabilities to help industry capitalise on expanding market opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region, and ensure our country is well placed to deal with any challenge – such as COVID-19 – that might emerge in the future.”
Apart from appointing Mr Taylor Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, the Prime Minister has promoted Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to Cabinet, and added science and technology to Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price’s workload.
Mr Morrison said that these changes provide a timely opportunity to reinforce some of the key issues that the government is progressing.
Mr Taylor promised to continue to ensure that Australians have access to affordable, reliable energy, while reducing emissions.
“Australia’s emissions are now at 20.8% below 2005 levels, the lowest level since records began in 1990, and we are on track to meet and beat our 2030 Paris target”, he said.
Mr Taylor also thanked the outgoing minister, Christian Porter, for his tireless efforts to support Australian industry and protect jobs during the pandemic.
