PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s new Cabinet will be sworn in today following yesterday’s ministry announcement which included the appointment of a new resources minister and the creation of a new environment and energy portfolio.

Nationals Senator Matthew Canavan was appointed to Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, making him the first cabinet minister in Central Queensland since the 1970’s. He had previously worked alongside Minister Josh Frydenberg as Minister for Northern Australia since February 2016.

Minister Frydenberg will take on the expanded Environment and Energy portfolio, holding responsibility for energy security, domestic energy markets, renewable energy targets, clean energy development and financing and emission reduction mechanisms.

Former environment minister Greg Hunt was appointed to the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio.

Senator Michaelia Cash was reappointed as Minister for Employment and Minister for Women.

On behalf of AREEA members, chief executive Steve Knott congratulated the ministers on their appointments and reappointments.

“Senator Cash has proven to be an extremely knowledgeable and consultative Minister for Employment who brings a strong appreciation for the resource industry and its importance to Australia’s economy and living standards,” Mr Knott said.

“Since taking on the employment portfolio less than 12 months ago, Minister Cash has successfully secured the passage of the first, and long overdue, amendments to Australia’s workplace relations laws in more than three years.

“The minister has also made highly regarded appointments to the Fair Work Commission (FWC); simultaneously improving the proportion of women in the tribunal to one-in-three commissioners. The modernisation of the FWC is a work in progress and AREEA encourages Minister Cash to continue to ensure government institutions better reflect the gender composition of the Australian community.

“As Minister for Women, Ms Cash has also championed gender diversity in the resource industry, maintaining Labor and Coalition government support for AREEA’s Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), including funding hundreds of women to complete its innovative e-Mentoring program.”

Mr Knott noted that the resource industry is now looking to the government to drive further, vitally important workplace relations reform that the preceding parliament was incapable of legislating.

“Resource employers want to see the government deliver its election commitments to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and return to sensible and balanced laws for union entry into workplaces,” Mr Knott says.

“The industry is also eagerly awaiting a response to the Productivity Commission’s December 2015 recommendations to fix pressing problems with Australia’s workplace relations framework.”

Mr Knott also stressed the importance of AREEA working closely with Senator Canavan and Minister Frydenber in their new portfolios.

“AREEA looks forward to working with Senator Canavan to ensure that the resource industry can continue to attract investment and generate ongoing employment and economic benefits for the nation,” he said.

“Coming from Central Queensland, Senator Canavan will be well aware of the impact of reduced investment and reduced employment in the industry, and the impact this is having on families and communities. He is well placed to champion renewed growth and investment into the resource industry.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Minister Frydenberg in the critically important combined Environment and Energy portfolio. Mr Frydenberg has proven to be a proactive and consultative minister who understands the importance of a diverse energy mix to Australia’s future prosperity.

“The resource industry also thanks Minister Greg Hunt for his global leadership on the environment and will maintain a collaborative relationship with him in his new key portfolio of Industry, Innovation and Science.”

Click here to view a full list of the Turnbull Government ministry.

Re-appointed Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, will address resource employers on the government’s plans for workplace relations reform at the 2016 AREEA National Conference. Register today to secure your place!