TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot reshuffled his cabinet on Sunday, December 21, 2014, to focus his ministers on addressing economic issues in the country.
One of the ministers being replaced was Defence Minister David Johnstone, while Immigration Minister Scott Morrison was promoted to Social Affairs Minister.
“It is a sign that this government wants the economy to be front and centre in the coming year, Abbot told journalists in Canberra.
Morrison’s promotion to Social Services Affairs minister was to highlight the shift in priorities away from the program of “turning back the boats” of thousands of asylum seekers. The policy has been criticized by the United Stations, but Abbot praised Morrison as “the master of difficult policy and administration” for being successful of reducing “boat people” last year.
“He is a very tough and competent political operator,” Abbot said.
Johnston lost his position a month after he humiliated the Australian government with comments on critical of government-owned ship-builder ASC, saying he did not trust it to “build a canoe”. Johston was replaced by Kevin Andrews, who previously served as a social services minister.
Abbot also appointed Susan Ley as health and sport minister, who will be the second woman in Abbot’s cabinet after Julie Bishop was appointed as the foreign affairs minister. Ley’s appointment was viewed as Abbot’s response to a criticism of a lack of female representation in his administration.
REUTERS | NATALIA SANTI
