Prime Minister Tony Abbott has posed for photos with his new Cabinet on Tuesday, following Monday's reshuffle announcement, in which he shared the sentiment that is at the heart of the Coalition's agenda: "Getting a fair go, and trying to get people to give a fair go." Tuesday's formality also provided the PM with an opportunity to build upon the aspirations that he established yesterday, and employment and family needs were highlighted as areas that Australians can look forward to seeing improvements in.
The swearing-in ceremony was the first-ever event of this type for Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove since he was voted into the position in March. The Guardian published video excerpts of the process, and Ministers such as new Social Services Minister Scott Morrison and Sussan Ley, the new Minister for Health and Sport, were shown swearing on the Holy Bible and providing their signatures before Sir Cosgrove, before posing for individual photos as they shook hands with the Governor General.
It was during the ceremony that Mr Abbott articulated the focus of the Coalition government going into the new year:
"These ministerial changes will put jobs and families at the heart of the government's agenda for 2015. This is a government which is committed to building a stronger and more prosperous economy for a safe and secure Australia".
The statement is a reaffirmation of comments made on Monday, whereby the PM spoke of the importance of lifting people out of welfare situations and a "holistic families package" that will be released in the first half of 2015. According to Mr Abbott, the latter will consist of a "fair dinkum" paid parental leave policy and improved childcare.
The PM also made more of Ms Ley's appointment, which sees a second woman in Cabinet, before the media. Mr Abbott insisted on a photo opportunity with "just me and Sussan", and shared their playful interaction with the nation while they waited for the photographers to get ready. Yesterday, Ms Ley identified rural health outcomes as her key priority.