Australian Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock has been appointed attorney general in a major cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Ruddock was immigration minister for nearly eight years and drafted controversial laws that cracked down on illegal migrants and asylum seekers.
The reshuffle was prompted by the surprise resignation of Communications Minister Richard Alston, who told Prime Minister John Howard he wanted to spend more time with his family.
It prompted a number changes that Mr Howard insisted would strengthen the government. But some analysts dismissed the significance of the reshuffle ahead of an election that must be called by early 2005.
"The future of the government rests with the prime minister . . . versus Simon Crean," said Mr James Jupp, director of the Centre for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs at the Australian National University, referring to the opposition leader.
"It just sounds like it is a normal game of musical chairs," he said, adding ministers would need at least a few months in their new roles before Mr Howard would consider calling an election.
