Barnaby Joyce has been sworn in as the country's new infrastructure minister as he faces questions about the government's new look cabinet.
The deputy prime minister assumed the new portfolio at a ceremony at Government House in Canberra on Wednesday, after arriving with disqualified former colleague Fiona Nash.
He replaces Victorian colleague Darren Chester, who was controversially dumped to give way for more Queenslanders.
Mr Joyce's deputy Bridget McKenzie is now a cabinet minister, taking over responsibility for sport, rural health and regional communications.
Peter Dutton has formally become the new home affairs minister, to be aided by Alan Tudge and Angus Taylor.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is also now the special minister of state.
RELATED READING
Chester has a huge political future: Joyce
The prime minister added several fresh faces to his ministry on Tuesday, in what is expected to be the last cabinet shake-up before the 2019 election.
He promoted West Australian Christian Porter to attorney-general, after George Brandis was recommended to take over as UK High Commissioner in the new year.
First-termer David Littleproud takes over the agriculture portfolio while his colleague John McVeigh deals with regional development and local government.
Michaelia Cash becomes the new minister for jobs and innovation.
Arthur Sinodinos is missing from the ministry, with his cancer treatment taking longer than anticipated.
Mr Joyce on Wednesday was defending the changes, insisting Mr Chester, who now finds himself on the backbench, has a huge political future.
He said geography was a factor in the decisions, despite Senator McKenzie claiming that reason was "ridiculous" and decisions were based on merit.
