Australia’s new PM Turnbull unveils first cabinet

MELBOURNE, Australia

Australia’s new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull unveiled Sunday his first cabinet in which his supporters and female figures were given positions following the ouster of Tony Abbott.

The reshuffle includes Australia’s first female defense minister, Marise Payne, who replaced the conservative Kevin Andrews, according to broadcaster ABC.

The posts of cabinet secretary and assistant cabinet secretary will be assumed by Turnbull’s Liberal Party supporters Arthur Sinodinos and Scott Ryan, respectively.

Scott Morrison, who became social services minister in Dec. 2014 after serving as minister for immigration and border protection, has replaced Joe Hockey as treasurer.

Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has maintained his post despite his backing of Abbott in the leadership challenge.

Other figures remaining in their cabinet roles are Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Environment minister Greg Hunt, Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss and Health Minister Sussan.

Alongside Payne, other women promoted in the reshuffle include Michaelia Cash, now employment minister, and Kelly O'Dwyer, the new assistant treasurer and small business minister.

Turnbull was officially sworn in as Australia’s 29th prime minister Tuesday after beating Abbott 54 votes to 44 votes in the closed-door leadership vote Monday.

Turnbull told reporters Monday afternoon that he had proposed the vote as it had become clear that Abbott "has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs".

Poll after poll had shown "the people have made up their mind about Mr. Abbott's leadership," Turnbull -- the party's ex-communications minister -- said.

Abbott had headed off a leadership spill in February.