Greg Combet takes over as Minister for Innovation

The cabinet has been shaken up with a reshuffle, with Greg Combet taking over from Kim Carr in the newly expanded Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

Senator Carr has been moved to the outer ministry taking care of defence materiel and the newly-created manufacturing portfolio, constituting a demotion for the Senator who served as Minister of Innovation since Labor’s 2007 electoral win.

Chris Evans was also moved from the Department of Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations to be Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research.

Mr Combet was widely regarded as being pivotal to the passing of the carbon pricing legislation, and he will retain his ministerial responsibilities over climate change and energy efficiency in addition to the innovation portfolio.

Many other moves were afoot, including promotion for key Gillard backers Bill Shorten and Mark Arbib, along with promotions for Tanya Plibersek, Mark Butler and Nicola Roxon, who becomes Attorney-General.

Kevin Rudd retains his foreign ministry post.

The Australian Academy of Science welcomed the elevation of Mr Combet to the ministry and the expansion of the innovation portfolio to include skills and tertiary education, with the latter being handled by two cabinet ministers.

“The Academy acknowledges and thanks former Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr for the passion that he brought and all that he delivered to the science and innovation portfolio,” said AAS president, Professor Suzanne Cory said.

“Strong support for science, innovation and education are crucial to building a strong, innovative and flexible economy and workforce,” Professor Cory said.

“We look forward to working with Ministers Evans and Combet to help achieve our common goals of enhancing science and education at all levels to modernise, strengthen and shape Australia’s economy for the future.

“Building on the important international relationships already established by Australian science will greatly assist the achievement of these critical objectives.”