Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has made two last-minute adjustments to her new ministry, before Governor General will swear in the new cabinet on Tuesday.
Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard speaks at a news conference in Melbourne Aug. 22, 2010. [Xinhua] |
After facing criticism in the wake of Saturday's reshuffle, Gillard has been reinstating the position of Indigenous Health Minister, and she has responded to concerns voiced by universities, and have the words tertiary education added to Labor's minister Chris Evans' portfolio title.
The Federal Government listed Indigenous health as a major priority after it delivered the apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008, shortly after former prime minister Kevin Rudd came to power.
But when Gillard revealed her front-bench team on Saturday she made no mention of the issue. Former Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon was moved to Defense Science and Veterans Affairs, and there appeared to be no replacement.
On Lateline Monday night, Health Minister Nicola Roxon announced Snowdon will continue in his previous job.
"It was something that perhaps wasn't focused on as much," Roxon told Lateline on Monday night. "We've seen that we have made this change, the Prime Minister has asked Warren, and I have asked Warren, to stay on in that role."
Meanwhile, Gillard's changes to how education is handled also came under the spotlight with her reshuffle splitting schools and universities across two portfolios.
Peter Garrett is to look after schools while Chris Evans was charged with looking after higher education. However, the sector was angered after no mention was made of it in Evans' title of " Jobs, Skills and Workplace Relations".
Senator Evans on Tuesday told Radio National that after speaking with the Prime Minister last night they decided to alter his title.
"While I think it's more a question of what you do and what you deliver than what you are called, I thought it was reasonable to respond to that," Senator Evans said.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce will swear in the new frontbench this afternoon.
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