Swearing in of new Ministry - 21 September 2015

Legislation au C2015G01573 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

 

Government House

Canberra   ACT   2600

 

21 September 2015  

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

a)      he has revoked the appointments of:
 

  • The Honourable Malcolm Turnbull MP as Minister for Communications
  • Senator the Honourable Eric Abetz as Minister for Employment
  • Senator the Honourable George Brandis QC as Attorney‑General and Minister for the Arts
  • The Honourable Joe Hockey MP as Treasurer
  • The Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP as Minister for Agriculture
  • The Honourable Christopher Pyne MP as Minister for Education and Training
  • The Honourable Scott Morrison MP as Minister for Social Services
  • The Honourable Ian Macfarlane MP as Minister for Industry and Science
  • The Honourable Kevin Andrews MP as Minister for Defence
  • The Honourable Bruce Billson MP as Minister for Small Business
  • Senator the Honourable Mitch Fifield as Assistant Minister for Social Services
  • The Honourable Luke Hartsuyker MP as Assistant Minister for Employment
  • Senator the Honourable Fiona Nash as Assistant Minister for Health
  • Senator the Honourable Michael Ronaldson as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Special Minister of State
  • Senator the Honourable Marise Payne as Minister for Human Services
  • The Honourable Stuart Robert MP as Assistant Minister for Defence
  • Senator the Honourable Michaelia Cash as Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
  • The Honourable Jamie Briggs MP as Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development
  • Senator the Honourable Simon Birmingham as Assistant Minister for Education and Training
  • The Honourable Josh Frydenberg MP as Assistant Treasurer
  • The Honourable Steven Ciobo MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Investment
  • The Honourable Christian Porter MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
  • Senator the Honourable Richard Colbeck as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture
  • The Honourable Bob Baldwin MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment
  • Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti‑Wells as Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General
  • Senator the Honourable Scott Ryan as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training
  • The Honourable Paul Fletcher MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications
  • The Honourable Michael McCormack MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance
  • The Honourable Kelly O’Dwyer MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, and
  • The Honourable Karen Andrews MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science.

 

b)      He has sworn in as Executive Councillors:

 

  • Senator James McGrath
  • Dr Peter Hendy MP
  • Mr Alex Hawke MP
  • Senator Anne Ruston
  • Mr Wyatt Roy MP

     

c)      He has made the following appointments:

 

  • Senator the Honourable George Brandis QC as Attorney-General
  • The Honourable Scott Morrison MP as Treasurer
  • The Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources
  • The Honourable Christopher Pyne MP as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
  • Senator the Honourable Marise Payne as Minister for Defence
  • Senator the Honourable Mitch Fifield as Minister for Communications and Minister for the Arts
  • Senator the Honourable Michaelia Cash as Minister for Employment and Minister for Women
  • The Honourable Christian Porter MP as Minister for Social Services
  • Senator the Honourable Simon Birmingham as Minister for Education and Training
  • Senator the Honourable Arthur Sinodinos AO as Cabinet Secretary
  • The Honourable Josh Frydenberg MP as Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia
  • The Honourable Kelly O’Dwyer as Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer
  • The Honourable Paul Fletcher MP as Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects
  • The Honourable Steven Ciobo MP as Minister for International Development and the Pacific
  • Senator the Honourable Richard Colbeck as Minister for Tourism and International Education
  • The Honourable Mal Brough MP as Special Minister of State and Minister for Defence Materiel and Science
  • The Honourable Jamie Briggs MP as Minister for Cities and the Built Environment
  • 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 Luke Hartsuyker MP as Minister for Vocational Education and Skills
  • Senator the Honourable James McGrath as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
  • The Honourable Dr Peter Hendy MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
  • Senator the Honourable Scott Ryan as Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary
  • The Honourable Michael McCormack MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development
  • 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
  • The Honourable Alex Hawke MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer
  • Senator the Honourable Anne Ruston as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources
  • The Honourable Karen Andrews MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, and
  • The Honourable Wyatt Roy MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.

 

By His Excellency’s Command

 

Mark Fraser LVO OAM

Official Secretary to the Governor-General

 

 

 

Overview

The C2015G01573 Act, enacted in 2015, was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for the reorganisation of the federal ministry following a leadership change within the governing party. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General, reflecting the constitutional requirement for the executive branch to be appointed by the Crown's representative in Australia. The overarching policy objective was to ensure a smooth transition of power and to facilitate the implementation of the new government's policy agenda by appointing a new ministry that aligns with the leadership's vision and priorities.

Scope and Application

The Gazette C2015G01573 pertains to the appointments and revocations of various ministers and parliamentary secretaries within the Australian government. The Act applies directly to the individuals named, affecting their roles and responsibilities within the government. The geographic reach of this Act is national, given that it pertains to the federal government of Australia. This Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it does outline specific roles and their incumbents, which are subject to change with further government decisions. The Act does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments but serves as a formal notification of changes in government appointments. The specified roles and positions are integral to the operation of the Commonwealth government, impacting policy-making and administrative functions across various sectors.

Key Provisions

This legislative instrument (C2015G01573) outlines the revocation of various ministerial appointments and the swearing in of new Executive Councillors, as well as the appointment of new ministers and parliamentary secretaries. Initially, the Governor-General revoked the appointments of a significant number of ministers, assistant ministers, and parliamentary secretaries (section a). These individuals held key positions within the Australian government, responsible for a range of portfolios including communications, employment, education, and more. Following this, the Governor-General swore in a new set of Executive Councillors (section b), who would be responsible for providing advice and support to the government. Subsequently, the Governor-General made new appointments for ministers and parliamentary secretaries (section c), assigning them to various government portfolios. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, the revocation of appointments requires the affected ministers, assistant ministers, and parliamentary secretaries to relinquish their positions and any associated responsibilities immediately. This includes ceasing to act in their former roles, returning any government property, and adhering to any transition protocols established by the government. The swearing in of new Executive Councillors requires them to take an oath of office, committing to serve with fidelity to the Commonwealth of Australia and to discharge their duties to the best of their abilities. New ministers and parliamentary secretaries must also take on their new roles, which involve representing their respective portfolios in the government, contributing to policy development, and overseeing the implementation of relevant legislation and programs. Breach of the provisions in this Act could result in various consequences, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. For instance, failing to relinquish a ministerial position upon revocation could lead to disciplinary action, including potential termination of employment or other legal repercussions. Similarly, acting in a former role after revocation could be considered a breach of the oath of office, potentially resulting in legal action. Conversely, failing to adequately perform the duties of a newly appointed position could also lead to disciplinary measures or termination. While the Act does not specify maximum penalties for these breaches, they could result in civil or criminal consequences, depending on the circumstances and any applicable laws.

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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.