In a cabinet reshuffle that took place on December 19, Barnaby Joyce has been replaced by David Littleproud, a former Queenlsand National MP.
He will now take on the role of minister for agriculture and water resources, succeeding Joyce who has moved on to become minister for transport and infrastructure.
Littleproud grew up in the Queensland country town of Maranoa, and has enjoyed a 20-year career in agribusiness.
“He really does understand agriculture very well, both at a practical level and at a financial level,” said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
ABC News reported that the appointment carried some controversy with Littleproud’s colleagues as the MP had only been in parliament since the 2016 election and, at 41, is quite young for a cabinet minister.
Senator Anne Ruston will support Littleproud as assistant minister for agriculture and water resources.
