Plibersek deputy in new Labor frontbench
The Labor caucus has elected Tanya Plibersek as deputy leader among 11 women in the opposition frontbench team.
Labor leader Bill Shorten has unveiled his shadow ministry, but not all of their portfolios, at a media conference in Canberra today (scroll down for full list).
The caucus, which met at Parliament House on Monday afternoon, elected former health minister Plibersek as deputy leader and re-elected Penny Wong as Senate leader.
Plibersek, who hails from Labor’s Left faction, was the personal choice of Shorten.
Former prime minister Julia Gillard offered her congratulations to Plibersek on Twitter.
“Congratulations to Tanya Plibersek on becoming Labor’s Deputy Leader. A woman of achievement & vision, wit & warmth,” she tweeted.
Right faction powerbroker and former minister Stephen Conroy will be deputy Senate leader.
Former ministers Senator Kate Lundy and Warren Snowdown have been relegated to the backbench.
Shorten heaped praise on Plibersek and her achievements in politics.
“She is a remarkable Australian,” Shorten told reporters.
“Not only is she a respected member of caucus, not only does she have a distinguished record as of public service as the member for Sydney, but also most recently as the minister for health.
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“But she reflects the Australian story. She’s the daughter of Slovenian migrants. Her father helped build the iconic Snowy Hydro scheme, along with thousands of others.”
Plibersek vowed to defend the legacy of the Rudd and Gillard governments, explain Labor’s vision for the future and continue to help rebuild the party.
“I’ll endeavour to do my best by my colleagues,” she told reporters.
Shorten said the shadow ministry would include six new frontbenchers: Andrew Leigh, Shayne Neumann, Michelle Rowland, Doug Cameron, Claire Moore and David Feeney.
There will be 11 women shadow ministers.
LABOR LEADERS AND SHADOW MINISTRY*
Leader – Bill Shorten
Deputy Leader – Tanya Plibersek
Leader in the Senate – Penny Wong
Deputy Leader in the Senate – Stephen Conroy
Anthony Albanese
Sharon Bird
Chris Bowen
Tony Burke
Mark Butler
Kim Carr
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Jason Clare
Julie Collins
Mark Dreyfus
Kate Ellis
Don Farrell
David Feeney
Joel Fitzgibbon
Gary Gray
Doug Cameron
Catherine King
Andrew Leigh
Jenny Macklin
Richard Marles
Jan McLucas
Claire Moore
Shayne Newman
Brendan O’Connor
Melissa Parke
Bernie Ripoll
Michelle Rowland
*Portfolios will be announced on Friday
