New Defence Materiel Minister in Cabinet reshuffle

With Prime Minister Julia Gillard announcing a Cabinet reshuffle over the weekend of February 2 thanks to the resignation of Attorney General Nicola Roxon and Senate Leader Chris Evans, which has seen a general reshuffle of ministerial appointments.

Mark Dreyfus will replace Ms Roxon as attorney-general.

Outgoing Immigration Minister Chris Bowen will take on Senator Evans' position as the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research.

In total, there will be nine new ministers and parliamentary secretaries, including Dr Mike Kelly to take over from Jason Clare as Defence Materiel Minister. Clare was promoted to Cabinet Secretary.

"Mike Kelly is someone who served in the ADF and brings that wealth of experience with him, as well as a wide range of talents and abilities," the PM said in her announcement.

As Minister for Defence Materiel, Dr Kelly's responsibilities include the acquisition of military materials and equipment, science and technology matters relating to their development, skills and industry policy, and helping to develop the Defence Capability Plan.

Dr Kelly, a former Army Colonel who entered the Parliament in 2007 after a 20-year military career, said his appointment was a great honour.

"I am intensely aware of how important this job is, having seen first-hand during my military career what can happen if you don't get it right," Dr Kelly said at the swearing ceremony yesterday.

"At the end of the day, you've got a soldier out there depending on their equipment for his or her survival. There can't be any greater responsibility for a Minister to remind themselves every day that, at the end of the chain, somebody's life is at stake."