Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his frontbench after confirming Labor would form a majority government. Describing it as the most experienced Labor cabinet in history and the cabinet and the ministry with the greatest proportion of women, Albanese revealed several changes from the shadow ministry line-up he took to the election.
The two big winners are Clare O’Neil, who enters cabinet and takes the high-profile Home Affairs ministry, and Murray Watt, who enters cabinet with the Agriculture portfolio — both from Queensland. Queenslander Shayne Neumann loses a frontbench spot to comply with Labor’s gender requirements, giving up Veterans’ Affairs in the outer ministry to Matt Keogh.
Pat Dodson will also be special envoy for reconciliation and delivery of the Uluru Statement.
The key appointments:
Richard Marles, Deputy Leader, Defence
Penny Wong, Senate Leader, Foreign Affairs
Don Farrell, Deputy Senate Leader, Trade, Tourism and Special Minister of State
Jim Chalmers, Treasurer
Katy Gallagher, Finance and Women
Tony Burke, Leader of the House of Representatives, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for Arts
Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care (with Annika Wells as Minister for Aged Care)
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate and Energy
Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Environment and Water
Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Regional Development and Local Government
Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services
Bill Shorten, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services
Jason Clare, Minister for Education
Mark Dreyfus, Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary
Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Skills and Training
Julie Collins, Minister for Small Business
Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications
Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture
Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science
Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs and Cybersecurity
