Australia looks for new Defense minister

CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minster John Howard plans to announce by next week a new Defense minister in place of Robert Hill, who is leaving politics.

"There are obviously a lot of people of talent on the backbench," Howard said.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that Health Minister Tony Abbott and Finance Minister Nick Minchin are among the contenders for Hill's job.

Hill, who oversaw Australia's role in the war in Iraq, says he did not step down in anticipation of being offered a position as Australia's ambassador to the United Nations in New York. But he said he is interested in that posting.