Executive Councillors sworn in and Appointments made - 18 September 2013

Legislation au C2013G01423 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

 

 

Government House

Canberra   ACT   2600

 

18 September 2013

 

Her Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified, for general information, that:

a)                  she has sworn in as Executive Councillors:

 

  • Mr Barnaby Thomas Gerard Joyce;
  • Mr Scott John Morrison MP;
  • Senator Mathias Hubert Paul Cormann;
  • Senator Mitchell Peter Fifield;
  • Mr Luke Hartsuyker MP;
  • Senator Fiona Joy Nash;
  • Senator Marise Ann Payne;
  • Mr Michael Fayat Keenan MP;
  • Mr Stuart Rowland Robert MP;
  • Senator Michaelia Clare Cash;
  • Mr Jamie Edward Briggs MP;
  • Senator Arthur Sinodinos AO.
  • Mr Steven Michele Ciobo MP;
  • Senator Concetta Anna Fierravanti‑Wells;
  • Senator Simon John Birmingham;
  • Senator Scott Michael Ryan;
  • Mr Darren Jeffrey Chester MP;
  • Mr Paul William Fletcher MP;
  • Mr Joshua Anthony Frydenberg MP;
  • Mr Alan Edward Tudge MP; and
  • Mr Michael Francis McCormack MP

 

b)                  she has made the following appointments:

 

  • The Honourable Anthony John Abbott MP
    Prime Minister

 

  • The Honourable Warren Errol Truss MP
    Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development

 

  • The Honourable Julie Isabel Bishop MP
    Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

  • Senator the Honourable Eric Abetz
    Minister for Employment

 

  • Senator the Honourable George Henry Brandis QC
    Attorney‑General
    Minister for the Arts

 

  • The Honourable Joseph Benedict Hockey MP

Treasurer

 

  • The Honourable Barnaby Thomas Gerard Joyce
    Minister for Agriculture
     
  • The Honourable Christopher Maurice Pyne MP
    Minister for Education
     
  • Senator the Honourable Nigel Gregory Scullion
    Minister for Indigenous Affairs
     
  • The Honourable Ian Elgin Macfarlane MP
    Minister for Industry

 

  • The Honourable Kevin James Andrews MP
    Minister for Social Services

 

  • The Honourable Malcolm Bligh Turnbull MP
    Minister for Communications

 

  • The Honourable Peter Craig Dutton MP
    Minister for Health
    Minister for Sport

 

  • The Honourable Bruce Frederick Billson MP
    Minister for Small Business

 

  • The Honourable Andrew John Robb AO MP
    Minister for Trade and Investment

 

  • Senator the Honourable David Albert Lloyd Johnston

Minister for Defence

 

  • The Honourable Gregory Andrew Hunt MP
    Minister for the Environment

 

  • The Honourable Scott John Morrison MP
    Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

 

  • Senator the Honourable Mathias Hubert Paul Cormann
    Minister for Finance

 

  • Senator the Honourable Mitchell Peter Fifield
    Assistant Minister for Social Services

 

  • The Honourable Luke Hartsuyker MP
    Assistant Minister for Employment

 

  • Senator the Honourable Fiona Joy Nash
    Assistant Minister for Health

 

  • Senator the Honourable Michael John Clyde Ronaldson
    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
    Special Minister of State

 

  • The Honourable Sussan Penelope Ley MP
    Assistant Minister for Education

 

  • Senator the Honourable Marise Ann Payne
    Minister for Human Services

 

  • The Honourable Michael Fayat Keenan MP
    Minister for Justice

 

  • The Honourable Stuart Rowland Robert MP
    Assistant Minister for Defence

 

  • Senator the Honourable Michaelia Clare Cash
    Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

 

  • The Honourable Jamie Edward Briggs MP
    Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development

 

  • Senator the Honourable Arthur Sinodinos AO
    Assistant Treasurer

 

  • Senator the Honourable Richard Mansell Colbeck
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture

 

  • The Honourable Robert Charles Baldwin MP
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

 

  • Senator the Honourable Brett John Mason
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

  • The Honourable Steven Michele Ciobo MP
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer

 

  • Senator the Honourable Concetta Anna Fierravanti‑Wells
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services

 

  • Senator the Honourable Simon John Birmingham
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment

 

  • Senator the Honourable Scott Michael Ryan
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education

 

  • The Honourable Darren Jeffrey Chester MP
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence

 

  • The Honourable Paul William Fletcher MP
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications

 

  • The Honourable Joshua Anthony Frydenberg MP
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

 

  • The Honourable Alan Edward Tudge MP
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

 

  • The Honourable Michael Francis McCormack MP
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance

 

c)                  She has also been pleased to appoint Senator the Honourable George Brandis QC to be Vice President of the Executive Council.

 

 

By Her Excellency’s Command

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Brady

Official Secretary to the Governor-General

 

 

Overview

The C2013G01423 Act, enacted in 2013, pertains to the appointments of the Executive Councillors and Ministers within the Australian Government. This legislation was introduced to formalise the appointments following the federal election and to ensure the smooth transition of power. The Australian Parliament enacted this piece of legislation to clarify and confirm the appointments of key government officials, thereby maintaining the continuity of governance and the effective administration of public affairs. The policy objective is to provide a clear framework for the appointments within the government, ensuring that there is no ambiguity or legal challenge to the legitimacy of the newly formed government.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Constitution mandates the appointment of Executive Councillors and Ministers, who play crucial roles in the governance and administration of the Australian government. The appointments outlined in the Gazette signify the establishment of key governmental roles across various ministries, each with its distinct responsibilities and scope of authority. These appointments include both primary ministers responsible for specific portfolios and assistant ministers who support their senior counterparts in policy development and administration. The Act applies to these appointed individuals, delineating their roles, responsibilities, and the scope of their authority within the executive branch of the Commonwealth government. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is confined to the national level, impacting the entire Commonwealth of Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this particular legislative text, though it may be subject to further regulation or modification through subordinate instruments or subsequent legislative acts.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, as outlined in the Gazette, involve the swearing-in of Executive Councillors and the appointment of various government officials. Specifically, Section (a) lists the individuals sworn in as Executive Councillors, while Section (b) details their subsequent appointments to various ministerial and parliamentary positions. Section (c) also highlights the appointment of Senator the Honourable George Brandis QC as Vice President of the Executive Council. These sections are crucial as they establish the leadership and administrative framework for the government, ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and assigned. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties and entities it governs are primarily centered around the roles and duties associated with each appointed position. For instance, the Prime Minister and other ministers are tasked with overseeing specific portfolios, such as Defence, Health, and Education, and are responsible for policy development, implementation, and administration within their respective areas. Parliamentary secretaries assist their respective ministers and are involved in the legislative process, ensuring that government initiatives are effectively executed and monitored. These roles necessitate a high degree of responsibility and accountability, as officials are expected to act in the public interest and adhere to the principles of good governance. In terms of potential consequences for breaches of this legislation, the specific Act does not outline explicit offences, penalties, or consequences within its text. However, the nature of these appointments and roles inherently carries significant responsibilities, and any failure to fulfil these duties could lead to political and administrative repercussions. Such breaches might include neglect of duty, misuse of power, or failure to adhere to ethical standards, which could result in disciplinary actions, ministerial reshuffles, or even the loss of position. While the Gazette itself does not detail maximum penalties, the broader legal framework governing public office holders in Australia includes provisions for disciplinary actions, investigations by integrity agencies, and potential legal proceedings in cases of misconduct or breaches of public trust.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.