Politics

Scott Morrison joined by mum, wife and daughters as new ministry is sworn in

May 29, 2019

Scott Morrison was sworn in as the country's prime minister by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove. Source: Getty

Scott Morrison was joined by his entire family in Canberra on Wednesday morning, as he was officially sworn in as prime minister for the second time in less than a year.

The Liberal Party leader posed proudly alongside his wife Jenny, young daughters Lily and Abbey and mother Marion at the ceremony in the capital, just 11 days after winning the support of Australians in the federal election.

Morrison’s family looked on with pride as the Coalition leader took the oath of allegiance before Australia’s Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove at the swearing-in ceremony at Government House. The oath is a necessity for all in the House of Representatives and is typically given while holding a Bible or another form of holy book.

Scott Morrison was joined by his wife Jenny, daughters Lily and Abbey and mother Marion at the swearing-in ceremony at Government House. Source: Getty

Once the prime minister had officially been sworn in, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, the pair joined the rest of cabinet at another swearing-in ceremony. Each member of Morrison’s recently announced ministry approached Cosgrove and recited the oath as their families, including many young children, looked on proudly.

The PM’s new-look Cabinet team contains a total of seven women, including the appointment of Australia’s first female agriculture minister with Bridget McKenzie taking on the role. Her predecessor David Littleproud will instead cover the natural disaster and emergency management portfolio. Littleproud will also take over the role of special drought envoy from former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce.

The cabinet maintained record numbers of seven women. Source: Getty.

Linda Reynolds has also joined the Cabinet, taking over from retired Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, while South Australian Senator Anne Ruston will take over as Minister for Families and Social Services.

Ken Wyatt has become the first Indigenous politician to hold the indigenous affairs portfolio, in a move from his position as indigenous health minister and minister for aged care and senior Australians. Meanwhile, Attorney-General Christian Porter has been named leader of the house.

Morrison promoted Stuart Robert to cabinet as minister for government services. The politician has also been given the responsibility to oversee the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Meanwhile Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Education Minister Dan Tehan remain in their positions.

On Tuesday at the first post-election meeting with coalition MPs the PM made a speech in which he claimed he had formed a “hungry, committed and united” team to lead the country, the Herald Sun reports.

“They are the reason we have the opportunity and the great privilege to serve them each and ever day,” he said according to the publication. “As I said just before the election, we must burn for the Australian people every single day that we have this privilege of serving them, in this party room and as a government.”