MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 26th August, 2018) Australian former Defense Minister Marise Payne will head the countrys Foreign Ministry in the Australian new government, replacing Julie Bishop who has resigned, local media reported on Sunday, citing new Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Morrison had appointed Christopher Pyne as the defense minister in his new cabinet, the ABC broadcaster reported.
The prime minister praised the new composition of his government that also includes a number of other changes in comparison to the previous government.
"These roles, I think, provide an opportunity for those who have served in senior levels in the past and continue to make any constructive contribution," Morrison said as quoted by the business Insider news outlet.
Earlier in the day, Bishop said she had decided to quit her job as the foreign minister after she had failed to secure the majority in the recent ruling Liberal party's vote to become Australia's next prime minister.
Morrison was elected to succeed embattled Malcolm Turnbull in the partys leadership ballot after his predecessor lost the support of its majority.
