Her appointment comes as Prime Minister Abbott conducts a cabinet reshuffle ahead of the New Year which has seen former Sports Minister Peter Dutton become Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

Ley's elevation makes her just the second woman in Cabinet, after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, as she takes on the role as Minister for Health and Sport.

"I would like to thank the Prime Minister for this opportunity to serve as the Minister for Health and the Minister for Sport in the Abbott Government," Ley said upon her appointment.

"I am committed to building on the hard work of my colleague Peter Dutton and look forward to taking responsibility for a portfolio that plays such an important part in the everyday lives of Australians.

"Since I was first elected as the Member for Farrer in 2001, I have been honoured by each opportunity to represent and serve both the people of my electorate and Australia and today is no exception."

Ley is the fourth woman to hold the post in Australia following Jackie Kelly, Kate Ellis and Kate Lundy. 

New Minister for Health and Sport Sussan Ley becomes just the second woman in the Australian Cabinet after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop ©Getty Images



Ley was born in Nigeria to British parents.

When she was just a baby, her family moved to the United Arab Emirates where her father was attached to British intelligence.

She attended school there until she was 10 and was then sent to boarding school in England while her parents remained in the UAE.

After three years in England, the whole family migrated to Australia.

She was first as a Member of Parliament in 2001, winning the seat of Farrer by 206 votes.

Re-elected in 2004, Ley was offered the added responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth Affairs, then Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in 2006.

After roles in Shadow portfolios for Housing and Women in 2007, Justice and Customs /Assistant Treasurer in 2008-2009 and Childcare, Early Childhood Learning & Employment Participation from 2010-2013, Ley was elected onto the Abbott Government in September 2013 as the Assistant Minister for Education.

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