Chris Pyne

New defence industry minister Christopher Pyne has said he is determined to see defence projects run on time and deliver maximum spillover benefits within the Australian industry.

New defence industry minister Christopher Pyne visited shipyards at Western Australia yesterday, dismissing suggestions he was focussed on winning shipbuilding work from the state for his home state of South Australia.

Malcolm Turnbull’s innovation agenda failed to resonate with the Australian electorate, but it is too important to be abandoned. The agenda can be recast in several ways.

Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull reshuffled his ministry yesterday, expanding cabinet to 23 and appointing Greg Hunt as industry minister, with Christopher Pyne moving to defence industry.

The South Australian government and SA senator Nick Xenophon have urged the new federal government to secure the long-term future of the Whyalla steelworks.

Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten has urged the government to use local steel in public projects to assist in the survival of Arrium’s Whyalla steelworks.