TWO Mid-North Coast MPs will step up as assistant ministers after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull unveiled his his new-look ministry on Monday.
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Lyne MP David Gillespie has been announced as Assistant Minister for Rural Health.
Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker rejoins the ministry with an appointment as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Hartsuyker said he was delighted and honoured to have been asked to return to the ministry in the Turnbull/Joyce government.
“As Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, my role will be to assist the Deputy Prime Minister in furthering the interests of the people of regional Australia,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s portfolio responsibilities are extensive and varied.
“My predecessor in the role assisting the Deputy Prime Minister, Keith Pitt MP, was given additional responsibilities looking after components of the agriculture portfolio such as Landcare, however the exact nature of responsibilities within the portfolio has yet to be determined,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“Cowper is a vibrant and strong agricultural area and having the ear of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources will be of great benefit to the people of our electorate.”
Mr Hartsuyker said he looked forward to continuing to work hard for the people of Cowper to deliver on the election promises and to ensure the interests of the electorate were heard in Canberra.
Dr Gillespie thanked the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister for the confidence they placed in him.
“As most people would be aware I have a long history working in medicine and health administration, and I look forward to using my extensive background and knowledge in the health sector to support the government’s policy agenda,” he said.
Dr Gillespie also thanked the people of Lyne for their strong support.
“Without the support of my electorate, this opportunity to serve as a Minister would not be possible, and so I look forward to serving them in this role as well as the important role of local member,” he said.
“While I have already had a brief discussion with the Health Minister Susan Ley today [Monday], I will be meeting with her again this week to discuss and determine my ministerial responsibilities,” Dr Gillespie said.