Tony Burke appointed as Australia’s new immigration minister

Newly reinstated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has unveiled his new front bench layout designed to take his party to the forthcoming election, including appointing a new immigration minister for the second time this year. As part of the changes, Mr Rudd has appointed Tony Burke, the former environmental minister, as the new immigration minister. Mr Rudd has stated that Mr Burke’s prior experience as immigration spokesperson during the Labor Party’s time in opposition has given him the experience to handle a ‘tough challenge’.