Australian PM announces cabinet reshuffle

Canberra, Dec 19 (IANS) Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday announced a cabinet reshuffle, including the creation of two major portfolios focused on national security and economic growth.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton will head the new Home Affairs department, in charge of national security policies, reports Efe news.

Senator Michaelia Cash, who was minister for employment and minister for women, was promoted to the other new portfolio of Minister for Jobs and Innovation.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter will take over as the attorney general from George Brandis, who will become Australia's next high commissioner in London.

Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce will leave Agriculture and Water and take on Infrastructure and Transport, which is in charge of important projects such as the Melbourne-to-Brisbane inland rail link.

Julie Bishop and Marise Payne will remain in charge of the foreign and defence portfolios respectively while Scott Morrison will continue as treasurer.

With the cabinet reshuffle, Turnbull seeks to leave behind a year marked by internal divisions, poor poll results and a crisis caused by the dual citizenship of lawmakers.

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