Prime Minister creates new Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Ministerial and Departmental reshuffle has seen the creation of a new Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.

Ministerial changes have seen the Minister Assisting on Tourism, Senator Nick Sherry, stepping down from Prime Minister Gillard's Cabinet with his former role as Minister for Small Business being assumed by Sports Minister and newly appointed Assistant Treasurer Senator Mark Arbib.

Senator Arbib will also be the Manager of Government Business in the Senate.

Responsibility for the Arts and Sport, along with the National Archives move from the Prime Minister's portfolio to the new Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.

Ministerial responsibilities for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government as well as the role of Minister for the Arts will remain with Simon Crean.

The Prime Minister's statement on the reshuffle read "these new arrangements will ensure there is an appropriate focus on the arts in regional as well as non-regional Australia."

Former Human Services Minister Tanya Plibersek becomes Minister for Health, replacing Nicola Roxon who remains in cabinet but will become Australia's first female Federal Attorney-General.

As Attorney-General, Minister Roxon will square off against the big tobacco companies challenging the Government's laws mandating plain packaging for cigarettes. 

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