Taylor to step in as Industry Minister following Porter resignation

Porter’s resignation came in the wake of ongoing controversy surrounding the payment of his legal fees via anonymous donations to a blind trust. Porter’s departure was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“I want to thank Minister Porter for his service in my Government,” said Morrison. “I want to thank him for his service as the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.”

Morrison also commented on Taylor’s appointment to take over Porter’s duties on a temporary basis: “I’ve taken the step of appointing Angus Taylor as the Acting Minister for Industry, Science and Technology. He will perform those responsibilities together with his responsibilities for Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. Both of these portfolios sit within his department, and I have no doubt that he will perform extremely admirably in taking on those responsibilities.”

The Prime Minister would not confirm whether Taylor would retain the role in the longer term or a more permanent appointment would be announced, saying only that he would have more to say on the portfolio when he returns to Australia following a trip to the US this week.

Taylor becomes the eighth person to hold ministerial responsibility for industry since the Coalition took over Government in September 2013. He follows Ian Macfarlane, Christopher Pyne, Greg Hunt, Arthur Sinodinos, Michaelia Cash, Karen Andrews and finally Porter, who was appointed in March of this year.