Australia on Monday swore in its first female defense minister, Sen. Marise Payne, who will oversee open-ended military engagements in two countries and some of her nation's most important defense contracts in a generation.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last week ousted longtime rival Tony Abbott as leader of their ruling Liberal Party, citing a chaotic management style and dismal poll numbers.
Turnbull's Cabinet, which was sworn in Monday, features five women — more than double the previous number.