Today the Prime Minister appointed me to Cabinet as the Minister for Resources and Water.

I thank him for that privilege.

My focus will continue to be on the hundreds of thousands of men and women across Australia who make such a significant contribution to the resources and water sectors.

The resources industry directly employs more than 260,000 Australians, mainly in regional areas, and is forecast to hit a record $349 billion in exports this financial year.

It supports the jobs of another 1.2 million Australians.

Our resources remain in high demand throughout the world and will support Australian jobs and economic growth for decades to come.

I am also committed to building stronger regional communities across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Good rain combined with good management and best practice by our farmers and irrigators are delivering record crops across many parts of the Basin this year.

In Cabinet, I will continue to support them with policies that support all Basin communities.

Media contact: Minister Pitt's office 02 6277 7180