George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—On May 28, on the advice of the Prime Minister, His Excellency the Governor-General made certain changes to the ministry. For the information of honourable senators I table a list of the revised ministry, including changed arrangements for representation in each chamber.

I might take the opportunity to congratulate, in particular, one of the beneficiaries of those changes, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who becomes the Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, as well as her other responsibilities.

I also advise the Senate that the Leader of the Government, Senator Abetz, will be absent from the Senate this week. During his absence, I will take questions in the Prime Minister's portfolio, Senator Payne will take questions in the employment portfolio and in relation to public service matters, and Senator Scullion will represent the agriculture portfolio. The Prime Minister has appointed me as Acting Leader of the Government in the Senate and Senator Cormann as Acting Deputy Leader until Senator Abetz returns.