Labor MP Tania Mihailuk has accused NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay of dumping her from Labor's shadow ministry for backing Chris Minns in the party's recent leadership ballot.
Ms McKay, who took Labor's top job on Saturday after a drawn-out three-month process, today unveiled her frontbench, spruiking the fact it comprised an equal number of women and men.
But Bankstown MP Mihailuk was a notable omission, and issued a statement saying she was "disappointed" to lose her role on the "front lines" of Labor after supporting Ms McKay's leadership rival.
"The NSW Labor party held a historical leadership ballot and I made the democratic decision to support the candidate who has lost," Ms Mihailuk said.
"I make [sic] it clear that I was prepared to work with the new Parliamentary leader, however, the new leader is well within her rights to select a shadow cabinet that is of her choosing."
Responding to Ms Mihailuk's grievances, Ms McKay said members of the shadow ministry were selected based on merit.
Mr Minns backer Guy Zangari was also stripped of the police portfolio while former high school principal and Lakemba MP Jihad Dib has been demoted from Shadow Minister for Education to Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE, Youth and Juvenile Justice.
Among the 13 women in the new-look shadow ministry, Londonderry MP Prue Car will take on education, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington picks up environment and heritage, and MLC Lynda Voltz, will take on police and counterterrorism.
Mr Minns has been elevated to Shadow Minister for Transport while MLC John Graham has been promoted to Shadow Minster for Roads.
Ms McKay also unveiled a suite of new portfolios including the gig economy, rural and regional jobs, building reform, housing and homelessness, consumer protection, better public services, carers and volunteers and active transport.
"We have a fresh new team with responsibilities that really give us a chance to reconnect with NSW communities whether that is in the regions or suburbs of western Sydney," she said.
"I am incredibly proud of the Shadow Cabinet because it brings on some of the real talent within our caucus and signals to people exactly where Labor's priorities lie which is putting people first."
