FEDERAL Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott was not chosen for Tony Abbott's front bench as Speaker of the House, but he said missing out on the job would give him more time to make sure the issues of rural Australia are heard in Parliament.

"The Prime Minister had a difficult situation, he had to reduce the size of his team because of ledger restrictions," Mr Scott said.

"I've got to say it's going to be a very good front bench team, and certainly good for a regional and rural Australia with emphasis on infrastructure, transport and communication."

The Coalition Cabinet line-up was announced yesterday, and features regional MPs Barnaby Joyce for agriculture, Nigel Scullion for indigenous affairs and Ian Macfarlane for industry.

Mr Scott said he would remain nominated as a deputy speaker in the House of Representatives.

"One of the things I will now have time for is to prosecute the case on behalf of the seat of Maranoa to the ministers in the new government," he said.

"My first responsibility is to make the constituency first and foremost.

"Secondly, I will have other roles to play as part of the team in Canberra."

Mr Scott said apart from that, his real role was to be able to advocate issues for regional development such as road issues.

"I'll be pushing for the Eight mile and Killarney to Woodenbong roads and the case for the black spots in mobile phone reception," he said. "I want to roll out in this term of parliament, the extension of high-speed internet right across the electorate."

He is also going to focus on social issues in our area.

"As always, the issues of health, education and training are very important," he said.

"And of course, not forgetting importance of aged care.

"Those are the issues that I'll be prosecuting very vigorously on behalf of Maranoa."

Mr Scott said he might have the opportunity to be involved in a committee that deals with issues such as communication, environment, transport and infrastructure.

"Above all else it means we are now given a greater opportunity to deliver on behalf of our constituency."

The new Speaker's position will be held by Bronwyn Bishop.

For more on Abbott's new cabinet and who made the top jobs, turn to Page 14.