'Has the Coalition fixed its women problem?' Sunrise host David Koch takes aim at Scott Morrison after the PM revealed a record seven women will be in his new-look Cabinet
- Sunrise host David Koch weighed in on Scott Morrison's post-election cabinet
- The Coalition had been criticised due to its lack of female representation
- Scott Morrison revealed a record number of seven women have been appointed
- Senator Jane Hume said the women have been appointed based on their talent
Sunrise host David Koch has taken aim at Scott Morrison and his new-look Cabinet after a record number of seven women were appointed to the ministry.
The television host weighed in on the Coalition's progressive new picks after the party had been criticised for its lack of female representation throughout the election campaign.
'Seven females are said to be sworn into senior roles on Wednesday, has the Coalition fixed its women problem, do you think?' Koch asked Trade Minister Simon Birmingham on Monday.
Senator Birmingham ignored Koch's subtle dig and said the appointments, which include Australia's first Aboriginal Indigenous Affairs Minister, as a 'historic moment' in politics.
'It's a great moment... to see such a strong line up of highly capable women who've got their on their own merits,' he continued.
'We want to make sure we continue to drive and encourage a representation that reflects the diversity of Australia, and this line up does that.'
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has named his new Cabinet a week after he led his party to a surprise victory during the Federal Election
Sunrise host David Koch weighed in on the Coalition's progressive new picks after the party had been criticised for its lack of female representation throughout the election campaign
Mr Morrison's government had struggled to change its 'anti-woman' reputation following reports of sexism and bullying within the party that emerged last year.
The allegations led to the dramatic departure of former Liberal MP Julia Banks, who made the move to an independent claiming 'gender bias' within the government.
The Coalition's 'women problem' served as a target for Labor which consistently highlighted its alleged poor treatment of women and lack of female leadership throughout the campaign.
The ministry's new additions includes Victorian Liberal Senator Jane Hume, Farrer MP Sussan Ley, Forrest MP Nola Marino and South Australia Senator Anne Ruston.
Marise Payne will remain as the Foreign Affairs Minister and has been handed additional responsibilities as Minister for Women.
Following the announcement, Ms Hume said the women have been appointed to senior roles based on their talent and ability - not as a token gesture.
'The calibre of women in Scott Morrison's cabinet defies aesthetics,' Ms Hume told The Australian.
'Make no mistake. I'm not here for my skirt. I'm here for my experience, and the contribution I can make to a sector that is critical to the Australian economy.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume, who is among the seven women who have been promoted, said the women have been appointed to senior roles based on their talent and ability - not as a token gesture
NSW Liberal MP Sussan Ley (pictured left) will take over Melissa Price as Environment Minister. Bridget McKenzie (right) will become Australia's first ever female Agriculture Minister
The prime minister has put his own stamp on the ministry and cabinet after making minimal changes when he first took over as leader in August last year.
'A key focus for all of my ministers and their departments will be lifting performance on government service delivery,' Mr Morrison said on Sunday.
'This will include congestion busting on regulatory and bureaucratic roadblocks, making better use of technology and better integrating service delivery across portfolios.
'The goal is to make it easier to deal with and access the government services Australians rely on.'
But his appointment of key ally Stuart Robert to cabinet as Government Services Minister attracted strong criticism from Labor.
'The idea that Stuart Robert is being given cabinet responsibility for anything says everything about the exodus of talent that has occurred,' Labor deputy leadership hopeful Richard Marles told reporters.
Mr Robert was forced to quit the ministry in 2016 after it was revealed he misrepresented a private trip to China to support a Liberal party donor as official government business.
In 2017 it was revealed his parents didn't know they were directors of Mr Robert's IT company, which had won millions of dollars of government work.
In 2018 Mr Robert had to pay back nearly $38,000 to taxpayers after it emerged he was charging them almost $2000 a month for his home internet bill.
Marise Payne will remain as the Foreign Affairs Minister and has been handed additional responsibilities as Minister for Women
Linda Reynolds has been announced as the Minister for Defence
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