Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a major cabinet reshuffle following Labor’s landslide election victory.
Michelle Rowland has been appointed Australia’s new Attorney-General, replacing Mark Dreyfus, who has been dropped from the ministry.
Tanya Plibersek has been moved from the environment portfolio to social services, while Murray Watt shifts from employment and workplace relations to take over the environment and water portfolio.
Former NDIS Minister Amanda Rishworth will now take Watt’s former role overseeing employment and workplace relations.
Anika Wells adds communications to her existing sport duties, and Health Minister Mark Butler will also now oversee the NDIS.
The reshuffle comes amid factional manoeuvring within Labor’s ranks, with senior ministers Dreyfus and Ed Husic both removed from the frontbench. Husic lashed out at Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, accusing him of acting as a “factional assassin” for the party’s Victorian Right.
Sam Rae has been appointed Minister for Aged Care, while Senator Tim Ayres takes on the industry and science portfolio. Both were among several new faces promoted to cabinet.
Despite the changes, Albanese has retained his key leadership team, with Richard Marles (Defence), Jim Chalmers (Treasurer), Katy Gallagher (Finance), Penny Wong (Foreign Affairs) and Don Farrell (Trade) all remaining in their posts.
Other ministers who will continue in their current roles 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 has been elevated to cabinet from the outer ministry, becoming the only Muslim MP in the senior leadership team following Husic’s departure. Her promotion signals Labor’s increased focus on Western Australia, which once again proved crucial to the party’s federal election success.
Jess Walsh, Daniel Mulino and Sam Rae also join the 30-member cabinet, which will be formally sworn in tomorrow morning at 9am.
Full Cabinet list:
- Richard Marles – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
- Penny Wong – Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Jim Chalmers – Treasurer
- Katy Gallagher – Minister for Finance
- Don Farrell – Minister for Trade, Tourism and Special Minister of State
- Tony Burke – Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, Cyber Security, and the Arts
- Mark Butler – Minister for Health and Ageing, Disability and the NDIS
- Chris Bowen – Minister for Climate Change and Energy
- Catherine King – Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
- Amanda Rishworth – Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
- Jason Clare – Minister for Education
- Michelle Rowland – Attorney-General
- Tanya Plibersek – Minister for Social Services
- Julie Collins – Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Clare O’Neil – Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Minister for Cities
- Madeleine King – Minister for Resources and Northern Australia
- Murray Watt – Minister for the Environment and Water
- Malarndirri McCarthy – Minister for Indigenous Australians
- Anika Wells – Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport
- Pat Conroy – Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
- Anne Aly – Minister for Small Business and Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs
- Tim Ayres – Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science
- Matt Keogh – Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel
- Kristy McBain – Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
- Murray Watt – Minister for Emergency Management (in addition to Environment and Water)
- Andrew Giles – Minister for Skills and Training
- Jenny McAllister – Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
- Dan Merlino – Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services
- Jess Walsh – Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth
- Sam Rae – Minister for Aged Care and Seniors
Source: 9news
