Cabinet reshuffle: These are the ministers with the toughest assignments

Updated

The Prime Minister has transformed his Cabinet.

But with less than two weeks before the end of the year, which unresolved issues will test the fresh new ministers in 2018?

We're looking at family violence, inland rail, robodebt, prawns and penalty rates.

Family violence



Outgoing: Senator George Brandis

Outgoing Attorney-General George Brandis, as well as former Minister for Women Michaelia Cash, was responsible for a funding boost and legal reform to tackle the problem of family violence. This included the first comprehensive review of the family law system since the current framework was created in 1976.

Incoming: Christian Porter

In his former role as Social Services Minister, Mr Porter oversaw the 1800RESPECT family violence help line, but this period was marked by the departure of some trauma counsellors from the service.

When will you hear from them?

Alongside new Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer, Mr Porter will be pressed on domestic violence leave in the lead-up to the next election, following a pledge from the Labor Party for 10 days of paid leave to become a national standard.

Inland rail

Outgoing: Darren Chester

Construction and community consultation milestones, a dispute over the route and questions about the merits of the $10 billion project highlighted Mr Chester's tenure as the minister responsible for inland rail.

Incoming: Barnaby Joyce

The former Agriculture Minister has been a major supporter of the inland rail project since its inception and will now take a hands-on role.

When will you hear from them?

The massive infrastructure project faces years of engineering challenges and funding stoushes before it's set to be completed in 2025. Mr Joyce will be prominent.

Robodebt



Outgoing: Alan Tudge

The Government's welfare debt recovery effort was "set up to fail", according to a Senate inquiry this year. Mr Tudge has now been moved into a citizenship and multicultural affairs role.

Incoming: Michael Keenan

The former Justice Minister has been a supporter of new automated security measures such as a national picture database.

When will you hear from them?

The so-called "robodebt" saga still hangs over the portfolio, and the rollout of the cashless welfare card — where welfare payments are quarantined so they cannot be used for alcohol or gambling — looms as another political challenge following Labor's decision to oppose further trials of the scheme.

Prawn disease



Outgoing: Barnaby Joyce

Diseases in imported prawns have been spreading to local farms and threatening domestic productivity. The outbreak prompted spending of hundreds of millions of dollars to improve biosecurity under Mr Joyce.

Incoming: David Littleproud

Elected in 2016, the 41-year-old MP has experience in agriculture financing before entering politics and has been vocal as a backbencher.

When will you hear from them?

Mr Littleproud faces the one year anniversary of the suspension of imported uncooked prawns in early January and will continue to pursue stronger biosecurity measures following the release of a critical report in December.

Penalty rates



Outgoing: Michaelia Cash

The reduction of wages for workers in fast food and hospitality positions triggered by a Fair Work Commission decision this year was used by Labor to pressure the Government over worker pay.

Incoming: Craig Laundy

The former publican has been handed responsibility for workplace relations as part of his promotion to the ministry as Minister for Small and Family Business, Workplace and Deregulation.

When will you hear from them?

Labor is expected to continue to pursue the Government over penalty rates and Mr Laundy will be called upon to defend his workplace policies if slow wage growth continues.

Topics: constitution, australia

First posted