Turnbull names his replacement as comms minister

Malcolm Turnbull has appointed a relative unknown to replace him as communications minister, leading to speculation that the new prime minister plans to keep a firm hand on the portfolio.

In a cabinet reshuffle, Turnbull has named Mitch Fifield to the role of Minister for Communications, as well as Minister for the Arts and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Government.

Announcing the appointment, Turnbull said Fifield will oversee the transfer of the arts portfolio to the communications ministry “to better align the funding and administration of support and incentives for our creative industries”.

Fifield was previously Assistant Minister for Social Services and the manager of government business in the Senate.

Unlike Turnbull, who helped found ISP OzEmail and see it through to a multimillion-dollar sale, Fifield does not appear to have a technology background. His degree is in the arts.

Partly for this reason, commentators are speculating that Turnbull plans to remain in charge of key communications portfolio elements such as the nbn and that Fifield has been appointed more for his loyalty than his vision for the communications landscape in Australia.

Fifield acknowledged the appointment in a tweet on Friday, stating that he is “humbled” to have been selected for the three positions.

Pictured: New Communications Minister Mitch Fifield.