Former Health Minister Nicola Roxon has taken the role from Robert McClelland, who has held the position since Kevin Rudd was elected Prime Minister in 2007.

Roxon is a qualified lawyer, having worked as an associate to Justice Mary Gaudron in the High Court of Australia and also as a senior associate with Maurice Blackburn from 1996 to 1998.

Roxon's political career began when she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998. In 2001, she became Shadow Minster for Child Care, Family Support and Youth and, in 2003, she became Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader on the Status of Women.

In 2006, Kevin Rudd appointed Roxon as Shadow Health Minister prior to the successful election, after which time she replaced Tony Abbott as Health Minister.

McClelland, who was a partner with Turner Freeman before embarking on his political career, has been appointed as the Minister for Emergency Management.