Mr Turnbull said he was putting in place a strong economic team, but one which could also handle the big environmental challenges like water scarcity and the responsible design of an emissions trading scheme.

Farmer and former NSW Farmers Association president, John Cobb, has been given the agriculture portfolio, previously held since the election by Northern Territory Senator, Nigel Scullion.

South Australian MP, Greg Hunt, will hold on to environment, climate change and water but will be assisted by Nationals Senator for NSW, Fiona Nash, who has been promoted as shadow parliamentary secretary for water resources and conservation, pledging to get the balance right between production and the environment.

Former foreign affairs spokesman, Andrew Robb, takes on a new portfolio of infrastructure and COAG, which will also include leading the design and policy work on an "economically responsible" emissions trading scheme.

"My vision is for an Australia where economic growth goes hand in hand with a clean environment," Mr Turnbull said.

"Sustainable agriculture should support the environment.

"A productive agricultural sector in Australia is vital for our future, just as sustainable environmental management is – they go hand in hand."

But Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, has questioned the Opposition's commitment to climate change with some of its new appointments.