Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on 18 January named Senator Arthur Sinodinos as Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.
The appointment of Sinodinos was one of a number of ministerial changes announced by Turnbull as the Prime Minister reshuffled his Cabinet. Sinodinos succeeds Greg Hunt who had been at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science since July 2016. Hunt will now take over as the Minister for Health and Minister for Sport following the departure of Sussan Ley, who resigned from the frontbench in the midst of an investigation into her travel expenses and entitlements.
In a statement, Turnbull said: “Senator Arthur Sinodinos will take over as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. This portfolio is critical to generating the jobs of the future and Senator Sinodinos’ extensive public policy experience gives him a strong understanding of the key drivers of new sources of economic growth.
“As Cabinet Secretary, Arthur restored traditional cabinet processes. That being done, he can now turn his talents to a front line portfolio and the Cabinet Secretary function can return to the Prime Minister’s Office as has been the practice of Coalition Governments.”
Sinodinos entered the Senate in October 2011, representing New South Wales. He was sworn in as the Cabinet Secretary under the Turnbull Government in September 2015. He was previously appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition in September 2012, a position he held until the election of September 2013. He was Assistant Treasurer from September 2013 to December 2014.