Australia announces cabinet reshuffle

Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declared a cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of three ministers and ahead of the departure of two others.

The reshuffle was announced by the Australian premier — who was voted into office in September 2015 — on Saturday. He introduced six new ministers ahead of upcoming elections in September.

“This is transition, this is change, this is renewal and it’s very... important,” Turnbull said in a press conference. He said the changes revitalize the government through the promotion of younger ministers.

Turnbull said he did not foresee any further changes in his cabinet before the next polls.

The cabinet changes were prompted by separate statements issued by Trade Minister Andrew Robb as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announcing plans to retire from politics following the next elections.

The two ministers are considered key members of Turnbull’s cabinet.

ME