Australian Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd announced the make-up of his new cabinet, appointing Stephen Smith to be foreign minister.
Smith, who is from the resource-boom state of Western Australia, "will pay particular attention to the integration of Western Australia into the foreign policy dealings of the nation," Rudd said.
Rudd, who defeated outgoing Prime Minister John Howard in last Saturday's election, appointed Julia Gillard his deputy and education minister.
Gillard, the first female deputy prime minister in Australia, will also be the minister for employment and workplace relations.
Telling reporters at a press conference here, Rudd said that his government will put education at the center of his government.
"The core of my future plan is building an education system which will be world-class. In fact, I want Australia to have the world's best education system," Rudd said.
Wayne Swan has been appointed Treasurer and Lindsay Tanner Finance Minister.
Simon Crean, a former Labor leader, was allocated portfolio of trade.
"It's time for Australia to resume its proper place of leadership in the negotiation of a global free-trade round - that leadership position has become diminished during the period of the current government," Rudd said.
Joel Fitzgibbon has been named defense minister.
"A core part of Labor's agenda for the future is climate change, water and the environment," he said, appointing Peter Garrett, a former rock star, as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, and Penny Wong the Minister for Climate Change and Water.
Garrett will be responsible for climate-change programs within Australia, while Wong takes charge of international negotiations on climate change.
Rudd named Tony Burke as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The Prime Minister-elect described his team as "a fresh team, ateam with fresh ideas for our country's future."
The new Labor government will be sworn in on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Party, which lost in the election, chose Brendan Nelson, the 49-year-old former defense minister, to replace John Howard as the party leader.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article