Winners and losers as Albanese unveils new-look ministry
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his second-term cabinet, with new faces joining the ministerial lineup.
Tanya Plibersek, who has a frosty relationship with Albanese despite being one of Labor’s most senior women, has been shifted from her environment portfolio to social services.
Michelle Rowland will become the new attorney-general after Mark Dreyfus was knifed by his own right faction in a power play by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Murray Watt is the new environment minister, with Amanda Rishworth taking the employment and workplace relations portfolio.
It comes after Mr Albanese went over the top of Plibersek’s authority to quash environmental laws she negotiated with the Greens after protests from stakeholders in resource-rich Western Australia.
Albanese retained his frontline team of Defence Minister Marles, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell.
Other ministers keeping their portfolios include Malarndirri McCarthy (Indigenous Australians), Tony Burke (home affairs), Mark Butler (health), Chris Bowen (energy), Jason Clare (education) and Clare O’Neil (housing).
Anne Aly was elevated to cabinet from the outer ministry, making her the sole Muslim MP in the senior leadership team after Ed Husic fell victim to factional warfare.
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Aly’s promotion reflects a greater focus on WA after the state helped deliver Labor government for the second consecutive federal election.
Tim Ayres was also promoted to cabinet while Jess Walsh, Daniel Mulino and Sam Rae entered the 30-person ministry.
The ministry will be sworn in at Government House on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese elevated federal member for Hawke Sam Rae (right) to the frontbench. Image: Joel Carrett/AAP
Husic’s demotion has been criticised by Labor luminary and former prime minister Paul Keating and Muslim community groups.
Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin thanked Mr Dreyfus for what he had done for the community.
He pointed to the most senior Jewish MPs actions including wearing a pin commemorating Israeli hostages, visiting Auschwitz for the 80th anniversary of the liberation and introducing anti-doxxing laws.
The refreshed leadership team will sink its teeth into Labor’s second-term policy agenda with parliament set to resume in July, with legislation cutting student debt by 20 per cent the first cab off the rank.
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The prime minister has also declared a “clear mandate to build more housing” to help address affordability woes.
Building 100,00 homes for first-time buyers featured in the party’s election pitch, along with five per cent deposits.
Labor has a few outstanding agenda items it hopes to knock over in its second term, including establishing a federal environment protection agency.
The Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens are all locked in leadership battles.
Liberals deputy leader Sussan Ley and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor are vying for the top spot, with Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price joining forces with Mr Taylor in a tilt for deputy leader.
A party room vote is scheduled for Tuesday.
In the Nationals’ party room, incumbent leader David Littleproud also faces a challenge from Queensland senator Matt Canavan.
The Greens are also without a leader after Adam Bandt lost his seat almost 15 years since he was first elected to parliament.
Senators Mehreen Faruqi and Sarah Hanson-Young are shaping up as frontrunners ahead of the party room vote on Thursday.
The new Albanese Cabinet
Anthony Albanese – prime minister
Richard Marles – defence
Jim Chalmers – treasurer
Penny Wong – foreign affairs
Katy Gallagher – finance, public service, women, government services
Don Farrell – trade and tourism, special minister of state
Tony Burke – home affairs, immigration and citizenship, cyber security, arts
Jason Clare – education
Chris Bowen – climate change and energy
Murray Watt – environment and water
Michelle Rowland – attorney-general
Pat Conroy – defence industry, Pacific island affairs
Madeleine King – resources, northern Australia
Catherine King – infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government
Malarndirri McCarthy – Indigenous Australians
Clare O’Neil – housing, homelessness, cities
Tanya Plibersek – social services
Amanda Rishworth – employment and workplace relations
Anika Wells – communications, sport
Mark Butler – health and ageing, disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Julie Collins – agriculture, fisheries and forestry
Anne Aly – small business, international development, multicultural affairs
Tim Ayres – industry and innovation, science
Outer Ministry
Jess Walsh – early childhood education, youth
Daniel Mulino – financial services, assistant treasurer
Sam Rae – aged care and seniors
Matt Keogh – veterans’ affairs, defence personnel
Kristy McBain – regional development, local government and territories, emergency management
Jenny McAllister – National Disability Insurance Scheme
Andrew Giles – skills and training
