Ministerial Changes - 18 February 2016

Legislation au C2016G00257 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

Government House

Canberra   ACT   2600

 

18 February 2016

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

a)      He has revoked the appointments of:
 

  • The Honourable Warren Truss MP as Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development
  • The Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources
  • Senator the Honourable Mathias Cormann as Minister for Finance
  • The Honourable Andrew Robb AO MP as Minister for Trade and Investment
  • The Honourable Luke Hartsuyker MP as Minister for Vocational Education and Skills
  • Senator the Honourable Fiona Nash as Minister for Rural Health
  • The Honourable Stuart Robert MP as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Human Services
  • The Honourable Malcolm Brough MP as Special Minister of State and Minister for Defence Materiel and Science
  • The Honourable Steven Ciobo MP as Minister for International Development and the Pacific
  • Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti-Wells as Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services
  • Senator the Honourable Scott Ryan as Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary
  • The Honourable Darren Chester MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence
  • The Honourable Alan Tudge MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services
  • The Honourable Michael McCormack MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development
  • The Honourable Kenneth Wyatt AM MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health
  • The Honourable Dr Peter Hendy MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
  • Senator the Honourable James McGrath as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

 

 

 

 

b)      He has sworn in as Executive Councillors:

 

  • Mr Dan Tehan MP
  • Senator Matthew Canavan
  • Mrs Jane Prentice MP
  • Mr Angus Taylor MP
  • Mr Keith Pitt MP
  • Mr Craig Laundy MP

     

c)      He has made the following appointments:

 

  • The Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources
  • Senator the Honourable Mathias Cormann as Minister for Finance and Special Minister of State
  • Senator the Honourable Fiona Nash as Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Rural Health and Minister for Regional Communications
  • The Honourable Steven Ciobo MP as Minister for Trade and Investment
  • The Honourable Darren Chester MP as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
  • Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti-Wells as Minister for International Development and the Pacific
  • Senator the Honourable Scott Ryan as Minister for Vocational Education and Skills
  • The Honourable Alan Tudge MP as Minister for Human Services
  • The Honourable Daniel Tehan MP as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Materiel
  • Senator the Honourable Matthew Canavan as Minister for Northern Australia
  • The Honourable Michael McCormack MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence
  • The Honourable Kenneth Wyatt AM MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Aged Care
  • The Honourable Dr Peter Hendy MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance
  • Senator the Honourable James McGrath as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
  • The Honourable Jane Prentice MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services
  • The Honourable Angus Taylor MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation
  • The Honourable Keith Pitt MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources
  • The Honourable Craig Laundy MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services

 

By His Excellency’s Command

Mark Fraser LVO OAM

Official Secretary to the Governor-General

Overview

The instrument is a notification under the Constitution that His Excellency the Governor-General has revoked and made certain appointments in the Commonwealth Government. The instrument was made under section 64 of the Constitution, which empowers the Governor-General to appoint Ministers of State, subject to the requirement that Ministers must be members of the Parliament and that the number of Ministers must not exceed one-quarter of the total number of members of the House of Representatives. The objective of the appointments is to constitute the Ministry of the Commonwealth Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

Scope and Application

The Gazette C2016G00257, dated 18 February 2016, encompasses significant changes within the Australian government, particularly in the appointments and roles of various ministers and parliamentary secretaries. The Act applies to the individuals appointed to these positions, who are members of the Australian Parliament and hold specific ministerial and parliamentary roles. These appointments affect a broad range of governmental activities and sectors, including infrastructure, finance, agriculture, trade, education, health, and veterans’ affairs, among others. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this Act is national, as it pertains to the federal government of Australia, impacting the entire Commonwealth. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, nor does it outline specific thresholds for its application; however, it is understood that these appointments and roles come with certain legal responsibilities and obligations as defined by other legislative instruments. The scope of this Act can be extended or further defined through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or orders, which may provide additional details on the functions and limitations of the appointed roles.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Gazette (C2016G00257) involve the revocation of the appointments of several Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, as well as the swearing-in of new Executive Councillors and the making of new ministerial appointments. Section (a) lists the appointments revoked by the Governor-General, including those of the Honourable Warren Truss MP, the Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP, and others. Section (b) details the swearing-in of new Executive Councillors such as Mr Dan Tehan MP and Mrs Jane Prentice MP. Section (c) outlines the new appointments, including the Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, and Senator the Honourable Mathias Cormann as Minister for Finance and Special Minister of State. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act pertain to the roles and responsibilities of the newly appointed Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. These officials are expected to uphold their respective ministerial portfolios, ensuring effective governance and policy implementation. They must adhere to the duties and functions associated with their positions, as outlined in their respective ministerial briefs. Additionally, they are required to comply with the administrative and legislative processes governing their departments and portfolios. Breach of the obligations and requirements established by the Act may result in various consequences. While the Gazette itself does not specify offences or penalties, breaches of ministerial duties or misconduct in office could lead to disciplinary actions, including potential removal from office. In more severe cases, actions that constitute criminal offences or breaches of public trust may result in criminal charges, with penalties that vary depending on the nature and severity of the offence. These could include fines, imprisonment, or both. It is important to note that specific legal consequences would be determined within the context of Australian law and relevant statutes.

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Gazette Notice
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Definitions & Interpretation
Appointment & Revocation
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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.