CANBERRA — Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday appointed Scott Morrison treasurer, handing the conservative lawmaker the top economic job in his new cabinet in an effort to mend party divisions following the ouster of Tony Abbott. Other changes in the much anticipated Cabinet reshuffle were the appointment of Maris Payne as defencse minister, one of five women in the new Cabinet, and former Education Minister Christopher Pyne as industry, innovation and science minister. Turnbull, a multimillionaire former investment banker, lawyer and technology entrepreneur, is Australia's fourth prime minister in just two years. Along with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who retained their portfolios, Morrison, 47, was seen as one of the few stars of the Abbott government. Morrison takes on his new role as Australia's $1.5 trillion economy grapples with the end of a powerful mining boom and as top trading partner China adjusts to slower, more consumer-focused growth. Former treasurer Joe Hockey would be resigning from parliament, Turnbull said.
