Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee was sworn into his new role on the Nationals frontbench during a Zoom ceremony on Friday afternoon as new Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's leadership was solidified.
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Mr Gee was sworn in as the new Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel amid Mr Joyce's cabinet reshuffle, with other key supporters officially replacing Michael McCormack allies during the digital ceremony.
Mr Gee was elevated at the expense of former minister Darren Chester, while Senator Bridget McKenzie also took the regionalisation, regional communications and regional education portfolios from Member for Parkes Mark Coulton in the reshuffle.
Senator McKenzie returns to the frontbench 18 months after resigning amid the sports rorts inquiry.
Her new appointment results in the strongest female representation in an Australian government cabinet on record.
Mr Gee becomes the fifth minister to head the Veterans Affairs portfolio since 2015.
"It was an honour to be sworn in as Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel," Mr Gee said, via social media post on Friday evening.
"Our country's veterans have given Australia their best and in this role, I will give them mine.
"I'm looking forward to working with all veterans, to ensure that their voices are heard and their service to this nation is recognised and respected.
"I would like to thank and acknowledge Darren Chester for the exceptionally hard work and dedication that he brought to the portfolio."
Parkes MP Mark Coulton lost all his roles as as Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government in the reshuffle following the change in leadership.
His role as Local Government minister was taken up by Kevin Hogan, who is already assistant minister to the deputy prime minister.
Mr Joyce continues to claim he was blindsided by the latest National Party leadership spill, and has rewarded his backers by promoting them to cabinet.
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