Stepping up: Michael McCormack will assume the role of deputy prime minister and minster for infrastructure and transport from Barnaby Joyce.

AUSTRALIAN peak industry bodies have welcomed the decision to appoint National Party frontbencher Michael McCormack as deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and transport.

Industry leaders including the Australasian New Car Assessment program (ANCAP) and the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) have signalled their intent to begin a productive relationship with the new minister, who also serves as minister for defence personnel and minister for veterans’ affairs, and had previously been appointed minister for small business.

As minister for infrastructure and transport, Mr McCormack will provide strategic policy advice to the government that shape’s Australia’s transport networks, with roads chief among them.

He replaces Barnaby Joyce, who stood down last week in the wake of a scandal involving an affair with a former staffer.

AADA CEO David Blackhall thanked Mr Joyce for his service as minister for infrastructure and transport, and said he looks forward to a close working relationship with Mr McCormack who will be able to draw upon his experience as minister for small business.

ANCAP chair Wendy Machin commended the appointment, with Mr McCormack having previously witnessed a live ANCAP crash test during his time as assistant minister to the deputy prime minister from September 2015 to February 2016.

“I congratulate minister McCormack on his appointment and welcome him back as a public advocate for vehicle safety,” she said.

“We look forward to working closely with him to advance vehicle and road safety initiatives across regional and metropolitan Australia.”

Mr McCormack has held the New South Wales seat of Riverina since 2010, and unsuccessfully contested the National Party leadership twice before taking the lead role this month.

By Robbie Wallis