I am delighted to have been appointed to the position of Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.
This is a portfolio that is fundamental to people’s lives and job opportunities and critical to Australia’s future.
Science and innovation are deep personal interests and flow directly from my work with the environment. Put simply, they represent Australia’s future and are fundamental drivers of growth and employment.
Job security is essential to families throughout Australia and job opportunities are essential to each individual and to our society as a whole.
I look forward to continuing the implementation of the Prime Minister’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, working to create jobs for Australians, and managing the transitions in our economy as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary and officials of the Department of the Environment for their outstanding support over the last three years.
The creation of the Emissions Reduction Fund which has become a world leading success and model is one of our outstanding achievements as a Government, along with reducing the cost of living by delivering the largest reduction in electricity prices in Australian history.
The creation of the Green Army, the appointment of Australia’s first Threatened Species Commissioner and the establishment of the One Stop Shop process have all been critical steps.
I am perhaps most proud of our work to turn around the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Under Labor it was on a path to being declared in danger by the United Nations World Heritage Committee. Under the Coalition, Australia was declared to be a global role model, the Reef 2050 Plan was put in place and we have established our new $1 billion Reef Fund.
I am delighted to see my good friend, Josh Frydenberg, appointed as Minister for the Environment and Energy. He will be outstanding and is passionate about clean air, clean water, clean land, heritage and Antarctica.