Kevin Rudd unveils new frontbench
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the core task of his new frontbench will be to keep the Australian economy strong.
Announcing his new team in Newcastle on Monday, Rudd says jobs, growth and living standards will be his government’s top priority.
“The core task of this Australian government is to keep the economy strong,” he told reporters.
The government will seek to diversify the economy, boost manufacturing and productivity, and working with businesses and unions, he said.
“That’s why I have assembled today a strong economic team, one with vastly more experience and vastly more competence than those we face opposite,” he said.
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He described Treasurer Chris Bowen and Finance Minister Penny Wong, a South Australian senator, as highly intelligent people who will lead that team.
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Deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese faces a heavy workload, retaining his infrastructure and transport portfolio, while taking on communications – including responsibility for the national broadband network.
“This is a large set of responsibilities for a man with a prodigious work ethic and a heart for all Australia. He will do the job well,” Rudd said.
Overseeing the nation’s roads, rail network and ports, along with the broadband system, means Albanese “will keep the nation’s arteries going”, the prime minister added.
Bill Shorten will retain the industrial relations brief but will also take on the school education portfolio.
Senator Kim Carr, who was sacked from cabinet by former prime minister Julia Gillard because of his support for Rudd, returns as the minister for innovation, industry and science.
Mark Butler, the member for Port Adelaide, becomes minister for climate change, taking over from the retiring Greg Combet, as well as environment, water and heritage.
As expected, Tony Burke will move from environment to the tough immigration, multiculturalism and citizenship portfolio.
Rudd said Burke had experience in the sensitive portfolio after being immigration spokesman in the Labor opposition.
“It’s a tough challenge,” the prime minister said, adding that he was certain Burke would bring the right balance of toughness and “heart”.
Joel Fitzgibbon returns to the frontbench, taking agriculture, fisheries and forestries while Brendan O’Connor moves from immigration to employment, skills and training.
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“He was delighted,” Rudd said when asked how O’Connor responded to his new role.
Victorian MP Richard Marles has been catapulted from the backbench into the trade portfolio.
Other ministers who have retained their Gillard government portfolios include Bob Carr in foreign affairs, Jason Clare in home affairs, Stephen Smith in defence and Mark Dreyfus as attorney-general.
Gary Gray continues as resources and energy minister, as well as minister for tourism small business.
Jenny Macklin will carry on as family services minister, also in charge of disability reform, along with indigenous affairs.
“She is a person of great experience and a great work ethic,” the prime minister said of Macklin.
New female faces in the cabinet line up include Senator Jacinta Collins, who assumes the mental health and ageing ministry.
Tasmanian MP Julie Collins becomes housing and homelessness minister, and minister for the status of women.
Victorian MP Catherine King will be minister for regional affairs and local government.
Tanya Plibersek adds medical research to her health portfolio.
Melissa Parke will join the ministry as the first minister for international development and Kate Ellis will add the youth portfolio to her current responsibilities.
Don Farrell will be the new sport minister replacing Kate Lundy who remains in the ministry with the multicultural affairs portfolio.
Sharon Bird will join the ministry in the regional development, regional communications and road safety portfolios.
Kelvin Thomson, Amanda Rishworth, Alan Griffin, Ed Husic, Matt Thistlethwaite and Doug Cameron will all have parliamentary secretary roles.
Rudd’s new team will be sworn in by the Governor-General at 2pm AEST on Monday and will hold their first cabinet meeting two hours later.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott dubbed Rudd’s frontbench the “C team”.
AAP
