Sarah Hanson-Young loses Greens immigration role

The Australian Greens have dumped Sarah Hanson Young from the immigration portfolio in a post-election reshuffle which has left her fuming.

The South Australian senator, who has been in the politically-charged portfolio for nine years, is set to take over education, finance and trade and water.

Tasmanian colleague Nick McKim will take over the immigration role.

Senator Hanson-Young copped flack over the years from the government for tearful speeches in the Senate over the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.

There were also revelations Wilson Security spied on her during a trip to Nauru and gave her the nickname Raven.

"Ultimately it was a decision of the leader of the party," Senator Hanson-Young said.

"While I am disappointed, I understand that politics is a team game and will work tirelessly in my new senior portfolio areas."

Senator Hanson-Young will spearhead the push for a banking royal commission, which has the support of Labor.

Senator McKim said it was a massive honour to follow in the "giant footsteps" of Senator Hanson-Young.

Other major changes include Adam Bandt losing treasury to Peter Whish-Wilson.

Mr Bandt will move into the climate change portfolio, which the Greens want to elevate onto the political agenda over the coming term.

He said fighting for strong action on climate change is the reason he quit his job to run for election in 2010.

"It is the number one economic, social and security challenge facing our country and the world," he said.

Scott Ludlam gains the defence portfolio and takes international aid and development from Lee Rhiannon, who will add a newly created portfolio of gun control to her responsibilities for local government, housing, industry and electoral reform.

Senator Di Natale said the changes gave the senators and MP a chance to take on new challenges.

""Every one of my colleagues should be proud of the work they have done in their portfolios over the past years," he said in a statement.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Senator Hanson-Young's dumping came as no surprise.

"Richard Di Natale obviously had enough of her outrageous and over the top behaviour and her demotion has been a long time coming," he said in a statement.