Coonan retains IT portfolio

Senator Helen Coonan retained the Communications, IT and the Arts portfolio when the Prime Minister announced ministry appointments today.

The fourth Howard Ministry would be sworn in on 26 October at Government House in Canberra, according to a statement issued by Prime Minister John Howard.

In making the appointments, Howard said he had made some significant changes to the structure of departments, to reflect the Government's priorities in its fourth term.

"There will be a greater focus on promoting skills training and development to fulfil our election commitments," he said.

Howard said the Cabinet would remain unchanged from the team that he took to the election.