September 21, 2015
Pictured: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester congratulated new Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne on her elevation to the portfolio on Monday. Senator Payne is Australia’s first female Defence Minister and will be responsible for a number of significant tasks, including oversight of the new Defence White Paper. Mr Chester has retained his position in the Defence ministry and will continue as Assistant Minister for Defence. The title of his role changed following the abolition of Parliamentary Secretary titles. Ms Payne, of New South Wales, has been in Parliament for more than 18 years and has a strong background in Defence and Foreign Affairs issues, having been a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Standing Committee from 1999-2007 and 2008-2013. Senator Payne was previously Minister for Human Services. All new ministers were sworn in to the new Coalition ministry in Canberra on Monday.
