Dutton takes over from Don Farrell, who had replaced Kate Lundy in July following a Cabinet reshuffle by then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Farrell was among several Senators who lost their seats in last week's General Election as Abbott's Liberal/National Coalition defeated Rudd's Australian Labor Party in a landslide victory. 

The 42-year-old Dutton, a former police officer, has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Dickson in Queensland.

Under Rudd, sport was part the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.

Dutton, who is due to be officially sworn in tomorrow, claimed that sport had been made part of the Health Ministry in an effort to help combat growing obesity levels in Australia.

Obesity levels in Australia are causing concerns but new Minister Peter Dutton believes that by making spot part of the Health Ministry they can help reverse the trend

"We want sport to be a key component of people's daily lives," Dutton told Fairfax Media.

"It's crucial...not just for children but for people in their 20s and 30s and 40s, establishing those good habits around diet and exercise."

But concerns over match-fixing in Australian sport are set to be Dutton's immediate priority. 

Earlier this week six men were charged in relation to Australia's largest match-fixing scandal.

The alleged football match-fixing ring is estimated to have reaped more than $2 million (£1.2 million/€1.4 million) of betting winnings, mainly overseas, from manipulating scores of the bottom-placed Southern Stars in the Victorian Premier League.

"As for any changes to the law in respect to sport, well that's something I will ask the incoming Minister to seek an urgent briefing and if there's anything the government should do, we'll do it," said Abbott, a keen triathlete who three years completed an ironman in 14 hours.

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July 2013: Lundy replaced as Australian Sports Minister by Farrell