One more minister will be added to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s new cabinet this afternoon, a week after the first one was appointed, with Health Minister Sussan Ley also being sworn in as the minister for Aged Care.
The aged care system was until Wednesday part of the portfolio of newly appointed Social Services Minister Christian Porter.
Ms Ley, who retained both the Health and Sport portfolios following the leadership challenge, is understood to have approached Mr Turnbull after the initial swearing-in ceremony last Monday to propose that she take Aged Care on as a separate cabinet portfolio.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Health Minister Sussan Ley during question time. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
She will be officially sworn in by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove at Government House in Canberra at 2pm on Wednesday.
Senator Mitch Fifield, who was previously an assistant minister dedicated to disabilities and the aged care system, was last week promoted to become the Communications and Arts Minister.
Public servants working on aged care issues will now move from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Health.
Ms Ley, on the left side of Mr Turnbull at the cabinet swearing-in ceremony. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
A number of other ministers also returned to Government House on Wednesday for the swearing-in ceremony.
Josh Frydenberg was officially sworn in on Wednesday after it was last week announced he would replace Ian MacFarlane as minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia.
Two MPs also officially became part of the outer ministry on Wednesday.
Ken Wyatt was sworn in as assistant health minister. It is understood Mr Wyatt will focus on aged care.
Alan Tudge also took the oath to become the assistant minister for Social Services and to the Prime Minister.
Ms Ley said in a statement that she had volunteered to take responsibility for Aged Care because the number of Australians aged over 65 is expected to grow to 4.6 million in the next 20 years.
“What better time to embrace our older generations, the services and care they receive now and will receive over the coming generations…While some see our ageing population as a burden on the health system or a burden on society, I have always supported and celebrated that we are living healthier and, for the most part, happier lives,” she said.
Patients and health professionals had told her during her consultations as Health Minister that there was an important connection between aged care and health.
“I believe that we can support older Australians – and indeed their carers – better. A key factor in this support is how our aged care services integrate and complement our health services.”