The Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, has announced the addition of another woman to his Cabinet, bringing the total number to 7, after the announcement of the impending retirement of Minister for Defence, the Hon Chris Pyne MP and former minister the Hon Steven Ciobo MP late last week.

Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, former Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, has been brought into Cabinet as the Minister for Defence Industry, replacing Mr Ciobo, and Minister for Emergency Response and North Queensland Recovery.

Senator Reynolds has an extensive defence background, having spent 35 years in the Army, where she was promoted to become the first ever female brigadier.

In her career, Senator Reynolds was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross, which is awarded to recognise devotion to duty or outstanding achievement in non-warlike situations.