PERTH: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday announced more than a dozen changes to his ministry, the second major reshuffle in the five months he has been leader and ahead of national elections expected later this year.

Turnbull was forced into the major cabinet reshuffle by the resignation of one minister, the retirement of two long-standing senior ministers and the sacking of two others over their involvement in political scandals.

The new cabinet lineup represents “a dynamic team which combines youth, new talent, experience, continuity, and a real sense of innovation and enterprise,” Turnbull told a news conference in Sydney.

“Change offers opportunity...there comes a time when you need to transition from older leadership to newer leadership. Turnover, change, is good...is is a revitalized government and it is revitalized because of new blood coming in,” he said.

Turnbull’s Liberal-National coalition is the frontrunner to win elections expected in October — his first poll as Liberal party leader and prime minister. A victory would secure Turnbull a popular mandate and secure his position as party leader.

Turnbull ousted former Liberal leader Tony Abbott in a leadership coup last September and is under pressure to unite his divided government.