The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has named her cabinet, four days after returning to power with a tiny majority backed by independent MPs. Kevin Rudd, the man she displaced as Labour party leader, two months before the election, becomes the Foreign Minister. Former Foreign Minister Stephen Smith moves to Defence. Penny Wong, who had a troubled spell as Climate Change Minister under Mr Rudd, will hold the Finance portfolio. Her deputy, Wayne Swan, remains as Treasurer. Ms Gillard said she is keeping her promise to create a new department to look after regional Australia and has given Simon Crean the new Regional Affairs portfolio. He will also look after Local Government and the Arts. Simon Crean will work with a team of ministers and parliamentary secretaries who will seek to represent regional Australia to the Government, she said.
News On AIR | September 11, 2010 2:12 PM
Australian PM Gillard forms her cabinet