Australia appoints new resources minister

OREANDA-NEWS. September 22, 2015.  Australia's Liberal-National coalition government has appointed Josh Frydenberg as the new resources and energy minister, replacing Ian Macfarlane as part of a ministerial reshuffle announced by the country's new prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Frydenberg will also be responsible for Northern Australia, which the Liberal-National party have targeted as a region for greater development and has a A\\$5bn (\\$3.6bn) fund to finance infrastructure projects that in turn will help resource development.

The departure of Macfarlane follows two stints as the energy and resources minister. He first served as minister during 2001-07 when the coalition were in government under then prime minister John Howard and again when the coalition returned to government in 2013 under Tony Abbott. The latter was replaced by Turnbull after a leadership challenge last week.

The change of minister is accompanied by another alternation of the portfolio, with Macfarlane holding resources and energy responsibilities alongside industry, but industry and science has reverted back to a single ministry that will be led by Christopher Pyne.

"I look forward to working hard to ensure our nation has a productive and innovative resources and energy sector and a Northern Australia which fully capitalises on its enormous potential," said Frydenberg, who was previously assistant treasurer.

Turnbull has retained environment minister Greg Hunt in his role. Hunt has a say on the environmental approval of resource projects. Turnbull was a former environment minister under Howard. He has been a vocal supporter of stronger action on climate change and the increased use of renewable energy and public transport, all of which may have an impact on future energy and resources related policies.