Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison reshuffled his Cabinet, adding one additional woman to the 22-person body and promoting others to more senior cadres as he seeks to ease a backlash against his government sparked by its handling of sexual assault allegations in parliament. The PM has struggled to placate public anger amid allegations of sexual abuse, discrimination against women, and misconducts in parliament.

“These changes will shake up what needs to be shaken up while maintaining the momentum and the continuity and the stability that Australia needs,” Morrison told. He said, "I have always wanted to ensure there is a strong voice of women in my government, and there has been. But I think what we are announcing today has gone further than that," Morrison told reporters in Canberra.

"I have very capable women operating in very important portfolios." While promoting several female lawmakers, Morrison also moved two MPs who have been the subject of allegations. Both, however, remain in his Cabinet.

The previous minister of defense, Linda Reynolds would leave the role of defense minister and would be replaced by Peter Dutton, previously home affairs minister. Reynolds has been criticized for her handling of an allegation of rape by a member of her staff two years ago. She will move to the government services portfolio, and remain in Cabinet.

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