Senator HILL (Minister for the Environment) —by leave—Madam President, I inform the Senate of the resignation of the Hon. Geoff Prosser as Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs and of a number of changes that have followed therefrom.

The Hon. Peter Reith has been appointed as Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business. Senator the Hon. Christopher Ellison has been appointed as Minister for Customs and Consumer Affairs and Minister Assisting the Attorney-General, and we all congratulate Chris on that elevation and are sure he will do very well. The Hon. David Kemp has been appointed as Minister Assist ing the Prime Minister for the Public Service; the Hon. Alan Cadman has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business; and the Hon. Trish Worth has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Family Services.

In relation to representational responsibilities in this place, Senator Ellison will represent the Hon. John Moore as Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism, the Minister for Science and Technology, the Attorney-General and the Minister for Family Services. Senator Herron will now represent the Minister for Health and Family Services, Mr Michael Wooldridge.

On another matter, I inform the Senate that Senator Warwick Parer, the Minister for Resources and Energy, will be absent from question time today until Thursday, 28 August inclusive, and on Monday, 1 September. Senator Parer will be in Canada attending the APEC Energy Ministers Conference. During Senator Parer's absence, I will take questions relating to the portfolio of primary industries and energy. I will seek to represent him as well as he represented me during the last sitting week. For the information of honourable senators I table an updated document showing all members of the ministry.