24th January 2007As widely tipped, Malcolm Turnbull’s rapid rise through the political ranks has continued today, with his shift into the Cabinet as the new Minister for Environment and Water Resources.
Prime Minister John Howard this morning announced the Cabinet reshuffle, ending weeks of speculation about when it would happen and who the winners and losers would be.
Mr Turnbull’s promotion was widely anticipated, given Mr Howard’s regular comments that water is “the biggest issue for everybody in Australia at present”.
As part of the shake up, Nationals MP John Cobb has been shifted from his role as Minister for Community Services to help Mr Turnbull as the Assistant Minister for Environment and Water Resources.
Mr Howard has rebranded and expanded the Department of Environment and Heritage to now include water resources, bringing the numerous government agencies dealing with the issue under one roof.
The idea is likely to be claimed by the Opposition, after Labor Leader Kevin Rudd earlier this week called for a removal of the duplication of services from the various Government water agencies.
Mr Howard also rejected questions that the reshuffle could be read as a sign of panic by a tired Government.
“The next election will be a very tough one for the Government – that’s something I have acknowledged for a long time,” Mr Howard said.
“What I have done today is make some difficult decisions.
“Fortunately the Liberal Party has been infused over the last couple of elections with a number of talented new people.”
SOURCE: Rural Press National News Bureau, Parliament House, Canberra.
