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Howard freshens up before poll
30/01/2007 14:14 - (SA)
Canberra - Prime Minister John Howard's new cabinet was sworn in on Tuesday, sharpening his centre-right government's focus on global warming, the nation's crippling drought and labour law reform ahead of elections.
Howard announced the reshuffle last week in an attempt to freshen his government's image as it aims for a fifth three-year term in an election expected late this year.
Thirteen cabinet ministers and assistant ministers, called "parliamentary secretaries", were sworn into their new positions.
The reshuffle's big winners included Malcolm Turnbull, touted in the media as a potential prime minister.
Turnbull - a high-profile former merchant banker, journalist and lawyer who has spent only two years in parliament - is now minister of the newly renamed department of environment and water resources.
Another winner was former human services minister Joe Hockey, who was promoted to employment and workplace relations minister.
- AP
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