[arnnet] Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, has retained his position in the Gillard Government’s cabinet with an increase in responsibility. Former shadow IT minister, Senator Kate Lundy, has also gained a place in the cabinet.
Former Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has been picked as the next Finance Minister to replace Lindsay Tanner.
The announcement was made around midday by Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, at a press conference in Canberra. She said Conroy would continue his role with the additional task of a whole-of-government tech role.
“Stephen Conroy will continue with his special responsibilities including the responsibility for broadband,” Gillard said. “But we will build on that with Steve Conroy also serving as a minister assisting me across the whole of Government, whether it’s health, whether it’s education, whether it’s any part of Government.
“We are working to maximise what the broadband network can deliver in those service delivery areas.”
The move is in line with Conroy’s comments to support a minister with whole of Government responsibilities for technology. Although there is no dedicated IT minister, Conroy is expected to advise Gillard on a range of tech issues across all portfolios.
The appointment of Wong to the Finance Minister position means she will take on responsibility for the Gershon review and its sweeping effects on Government ICT procurement and employment.
Former shadow IT minister, Senator Kate Lundy, has also been appointed to the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Citizenship as well as Prime Minister and Cabinet. This will give her more access to the Prime Minister as well as more responsibilities.
Lundy told ARN she was very excited with the appointment and would continue to push for a new IT minister position.
"[The Prime Minister] has a very clear understanding of my committment to IT and I think that's one of the reasons that she's appointed me as her parliamentary secretary," she said "I think it's a very important insight into the status the Prime Minister gives to Communications and IT that she's wanting a closer association with the Portfolios.
"I think it's very good news for IT, for broadband, for what we're going to achieve as a nation online. It's great news all round."
Penny Wong's rumoured move from the climate change portfolio to Minister for Finance and Deregulation went ahead, Kevin Rudd got Foreign Affairs - no surprises there, and the man he replaces, Senator Stephen Smith, moves into Linday Tanner's old job as Minister for Defence.
The cabinet is expected to be sworn in by Tuesday, September 14, at the very latest.
Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, gets promoted with more responsibilities
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