Defense Minister To Step Down After Next Elections

Australian Defense Minister Christopher Pyne has announced that he will retire from politics, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Pyne will remain in his post until federal elections in May.

In addition, Defense Industry Minister Steve Ciobo also announced his resignation. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has chosen Sen. Linda Reynolds, the first woman to reach the rank of brigadier in the army reserve, to replace Ciobo.

Should the coalition led by Morrison retain power after the elections, she is expected to take over the defense minister post.

The departures are part of a larger series of resignations. Analysts predict that the current Liberal and National party center-right coalition will be defeated by the opposition Labor Party in May.