Julia Gillard unveils new ministerial line-up

GREG Combet is set to become the hardest working man in the Gillard government, overseeing two government departments as he adds industry and innovation to his responsibilities as Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

In a major ministerial reshuffle today, Julia Gillard rewarded rising star Bill Shorten, elevating him to cabinet and naming him Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation.

Nicola Roxon has become Australia's first female Attorney-general, while Tanya Plibersek is another big winner, moving into cabinet and taking over from Ms Roxon as Minister for Health.

Mark Butler also moves into cabinet as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing and Social Inclusion, while Mark Arbib has been named as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business, in addition to his role as Minister for Sport.

Tasmanian MP Julie Collins has been elevated to the ministry as the Minister for Community Services.



Ms Gillard said the reshuffle, sparked by the retirement of Nick Sherry from the ministry, reflected her focus on jobs and economic growth, and sharing the benefits of Australia's wealth.

"I believe that with this new cabinet in place we will see an important mix of new energy and talent as well as wise heads and experienced heads in cabinet," she said.

"We will see this new mixture which will give us the focus and the firepower we need in 2012 to pursue the government's priorities."

The number of cabinet spots has been expanded from 20 to 22, with Kim Carr demoted to the outer ministry.

He retains his title as Minister for Manufacturing but surrendered his innovation and industry portfolios to Mr Combet.

The biggest losers in the reshuffle were Senator Carr, followed by Robert McClelland, who lost the Attorney-General portfolio to Ms Roxon but managed to remain in cabinet.

In a consolation prize for Mr McClelland, he was named as Minister for Emergency Management and Minister for Housing.

While he surrendered workplace relations to Mr Shorten, Labor's Senate Leader Chris Evans managed to hang on as Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, and added Minister for Science and Research to his title.

The changes require the creation of a new super department covering skills, higher education, innovation, science and research.

Ms Gillard said the addition of industry and innovation was a natural fit for Mr Combet, as Australia's climate change response would rely on a focus on clean technology and new ideas.

With her carbon pricing scheme to be introduced next year, Ms Gillard said Mr Combet would be busy.

"Whilst that implementation is painstaking work, I do believe that Greg has the capacity to turn his mind to an additional challenge," she said.

Among the winners was Jason Clare, the former minister for defence materiel, who becomes Minister for Home Affairs and Justice.

Former home affairs minister Brendan O'Connor was named Minister for Human Services and Minister Assisting the School Education Minister.

Jenny Macklin continues as Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, but takes on added responsibility as as Minister for Disability Reform.

NSW MP Mike Kelly has shifted back to his old job as Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, with particular responsibility for assisting in Australia's transition out of Afghanistan.

Tasmanian MP Sid Sidebottom becomes Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.

While relations between Ms Gillard and her predecessor Kevin Rudd have been strained, she said she hadn't considered dumping him from the ministry.

"He is doing an exceptional job as Foreign Minister," she said.

"I am obviously delighted with the work that Kevin Rudd is doing as Foreign Minister, he continues what is foreign policy work in our proudest tradition, punching above our weight."

The Prime Minister also backed Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, who lost his job as manager of government business in the Senate but retained his role as Minister for Agriculture despite criticism of his management of the live export ban.

"I know it's been a difficult year and Joe Ludwig has managed his way through those difficulties. It has been a difficult period but we have live exports resumed now," Ms Gillard said. 

She couldn't fire Peter G or Robert McC, resulting in now a HUGE cabinet. Good on Tanya P getting in. She is a talent.