Australia Swore In First Female Defence Minister

摘要

Marise Payne took on the role as defence minister Sept 21, in a major cabinet shake-up making her the country's first female defence minister. She will now oversee open-ended military engagements in two countries and some of the country's most important defence contracts in a generation. The major reshuffle took place after new prime minister Malcolm Tumbull ousted long-time rival Tony Abbott as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, citing a chaotic management style and dismal poll numbers. Turnbull's cabinet features five women, more than double the previous number. Payne, previously were human services minister and a former chair of parliament's foreign affairs, defence and trade committee, as well as its human rights subcommittee, replaces Kevin Andrews after less than a year in defence. She joins a small number of woman defence ministers around the world and becomes the second to fill the role in an English-speaking nation behind Canada's Kim Campbell. Germany, Norway and the Netherlands all have female defence ministers.