Mr Tehan will take on the key trade portfolio,putting the former diplomat at the forefront of repairing Australia’s relationship with China.
Alan Tudge takes over Mr Tehan’s former portfolio of education,now combined with youth affairs to give “a clear brief of improving education outcomes and,in particular,helping younger Australians navigate challenges in a rapidly changing world”,Mr Morrison said.
In a larger than expected change-up,Greg Hunt will be given the difficult Aged Care portfolio alongside his current Health portfolio. Tasmanian senator Richard Colbeck retains responsibility for aged care services,including the delivery of residential and home care packages and regulation of the sector.
“This is about elevating aged care into the cabinet ... because of the seriousness of this issue,the size and scale of the reform program that will need to be implemented post the royal commission report,” Mr Morrison said,denying that Senator Colbeck had been demoted after a rocky performance during the pandemic.
“One of the things that I think happen,often,when there are reshuffles is there is tendency to look at these things always in personal terms and the internal politics and,to be honest,what matters is aged care and the care of elderly Australians,” he said.
Paul Fletcher takes back responsibility for urban infrastructure and cities,which he held under former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull,in addition to his existing portfolios of communications and arts.