Political Update

Australia has a new Prime Minister and Cabinet line-up following the latest leadership upheaval in Canberra.  We look at some of the key appointments for the property industry.

Following Scott Morrison’s appointment as Australia’s 30^th Prime Minister, he announced a new Cabinet line-up to lead the Coalition Government until the next federal election due by May 2018.

The key economic team is led by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, supported by Stuart Robert as Assistant Treasurer, and Senator Zed Seselja as Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance. The Property Council worked closely with Frydenberg in his previous energy and environment portfolios, and he was the lunchtime keynote speaker at our Property Leaders’ Summit in Canberra in July.

Senator Mathias Cormann was reappointed as Minister for Finance and the Public Service.

Victorian MP Alan Tudge has been appointed as the Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population, also dubbed as the ‘Minister for Congestion Busting’ by the new PM. This is an important grouping of portfolios for the industry, suggesting a strengthened focus on how our cities respond to population growth.

The Immigration portfolio has been split out of Peter Dutton’s Home Affairs ministry and given to economically dry David Coleman. As Treasurer, Scott Morrison strongly defended the importance of a strong migration program to the nation’s economy.

Kelly O’Dwyer has been appointed as Minister for Jobs, Industrial Relations and Women, while Senator Michaelia Cash takes on the new role of Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education.

The Energy and Environment portfolios have been separated, with Angus Taylor joining Cabinet to take on Energy, and Environment being managed by Melissa Price. These policy areas remain unfinished business for the Coalition and it is unclear how these agendas will roll out.

The Deputy Leader of the National Party, Senator Bridget McKenzie, takes on an expanded portfolio including Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack retains Cabinet level responsibility for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.

The full ministry list is available here.