Southern states need minister: Xenophon

Independent senator Nick Xenophon says the Turnbull government should appoint a minister for "southern Australia" as well as for the north.

Victorian MP Josh Frydenberg will enter cabinet as minister for resources, energy and northern Australia.

But Senator Xenophon, who represents South Australia, told AAP a minister was needed to stop the "tsunami of job losses" in Victoria, SA and Tasmania in the wake of manufacturers such as Holden, Ford and Toyota pulling out.