Ken Wyatt appointed Minister for Aged Care in limited cabinet reshuffle
Greg Hunt has been appointed the Minister for Health and Sport while Ken Wyatt has been appointed the Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced.
Left: Greg Hunt is the new Minister for Health while Ken Wyatt has been appointed Minister for Aged Care
Ken Wyatt becomes the first Indigenous person to be appointed a Commonwealth minister.
Mr Hunt moves to health and sport from the industry, innovation and science portfolio. He was previously environment minister.
He takes over from Sussan Ley, who resigned as the senior health minister on Friday after becoming embroiled in an expenses controversy.
As the senior minister Mr Hunt will represent aged care in the cabinet, Mr Turnbull confirmed.
Mr Wyatt’s extensive knowledge working in health services, and as the assistant minister handling aged care issues, meant he was well placed to assume the role of Minister for Aged Care, Mr Turnbull said.
Senator Arthur Sinodinosis, who had been acting health minister since Ms Ley stood aside last Monday over the expenses controversy, takes over Mr Hunt’s role as industry minister.
Aged & Community Services Australia welcomed Mr Wyatt’s promotion, saying he had been very engaged with the industry on aged care issues.
“ACSA looks forward to engaging with the new Minister for Health Greg Hunt, who will represent aged care in Cabinet. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution Sussan Ley made within aged care while Minister for Health and Aged Care,” said the peak’s CEO Pat Sparrow.
Alzheimer’s Australia said it would work closely with Mr Hunt on dementia, which is a National Health Priority that affects more than 353,800 Australians.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Minister Wyatt who has already contributed to the advancement of improving aged care in his previous role as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care,” national president Graeme Samuel said.
Leading Age Services Australia CEO Sean Rooney said he was looking forward to continuing to work with Mr Wyatt to address current and emerging issues affecting the aged care sector’s ability to meet the needs of the growing population of older Australians.