Greek Cypriot MP, Andrea Michaels, was one of two new faces added to Labor’s frontbench in South Australia, bringing gender balance to the shadow cabinet for the first time.
Ms Michaels and northern suburbs MP, Blair Boyer, were promoted to the 14-strong frontbench on Monday, replacing Tony Piccolo and Eddie Hughes.
Mr Boyer was elected to parliament at the last state poll in 2018, while Ms Michaels replaced former deputy premier John Rau in the Enfield by-election last year.
She is the founder and managing director of Adelaide’s NDA Law, with expertise in tax and superannuation matters as well as commercial and corporate governance.
“It’s a very proud moment as a Greek Cypriot and a woman to get to this position. We need more young women from multicultural backgrounds to put their hand up for politics to bring new and different ideas to government,” Ms Michaels tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
Ms Michaels will be taking on the responsibilities of small and family businesses, consumer & business affairs as well as housing and urban development.
SA Labor now has seven women in its 14-person frontbench, including deputy Susan Close.
Labor Leader, Peter Malinauskas, said the decision was an important day for the party.
“This is a significant moment, as we now have Labor’s first frontbench with an equal share of men and women,” Mr Malinauskas told local media.
“As Labor Leader, I am proud to lead a team which better reflects our society.
“Andrea and Blair will bring fresh ideas and renewed energy to our frontbench team as we put forward our case for a Labor Government in March 2022.”
