Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
Politics
Doug Dingwall

The Hunter scores a seat at the table in Albanese's new cabinet

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces front bench as Labor forms majority government | Newcastle Herald | May 31, 2022

Shortland MP Pat Conroy has been appointed Minister for Defence Industries and Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

And a record number of women will serve in the new government's cabinet and ministry after Labor revealed its front bench while securing 77 seats in the new parliament.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed a major reshuffle of portfolios in announcing the ministry, as deputy Labor leader Richard Marles takes the nation's Defence portfolio while Clare O'Neil becomes Home Affairs and Cyber Security Minister.

Jason Clare will take on the education ministry, while Tanya Plibersek moves to environment and water, and Brendan O'Connor becomes Minister for Skills and Training. Katy Gallagher will be Minister for Women, in addition to finance and the public service.

Mr Conroy, who has previously served in several shadow ministry positions and was returned to his seat of Shortland in the May 21 federal election with a slight swing to the ALP, said he was humbled and excited to be appointed to the roles.

THE NEW TEAM: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Tuesday's caucus meeting at Parliament House. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

"These are two areas I've really enjoyed working in from opposition and look forward to taking on in government," he said.

"Our Defence capabilities are of crucial importance. Under consecutive Liberal governments, we've seen too many experience delays, cost blowouts, and underperformance, so it is my priority to get these back on track.

"And Australia's relationship with the Pacific is crucial. They are family, and we should be a partner of choice for them. I will be working hard to strengthen and secure those relationships.

"I am honoured to serve in the Albanese ministry in addition to representing my community as the Member for Shortland."

Queensland senator Murray Watt becomes Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and has the emergency management portfolio, while Bill Shorten will have responsibility for the NDIS and government services.

Tasmanian MP Julie Collins will be responsible for Labor's housing agenda, and Kristy McBain will be elevated to the outer ministry overseeing regional development.

Mr Albanese said his new ministry would be part of the most experienced incoming Labor government in history as he revealed his major appointments and said they had "hit the ground running".

ELEVATED: The member for Shortland Pat Conroy will be part of the Labor government's ministry.

The Prime Minister unveiled his new ministry after urging his colleagues to remain united as he tries to prevent the division and dysfunction which plagued Labor during its previous term in power.

Mr Albanese is set to lead a majority government when the Federal Parliament returns in the final week of July, after Josh Burns won in Macnamara and Fiona Phillips retained the NSW South Coast seat of Gilmore, handing Labor 77 seats.

Mr Albanese was a senior frontbencher in the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments, a term in power which was defined by internal divisions and ultimately ended with a thumping election defeat to the Tony Abbott-led Coalition in 2013.

In his first speech to the new caucus, Mr Albanese said Labor's ability to remain disciplined and united under his leadership was a major factor behind its election win.

The full list of Albanese Labor government's cabinet positions

  • Anthony Albanese - Prime Minister
  • Richard Marles - Deputy Prime Minister, Defence
  • Jim Chalmers - Treasurer
  • Katy Gallagher - Finance, Public Service, Women
  • Penny Wong - Foreign Affairs
  • Linda Burney - Indigenous Australians
  • Bill Shorten - National Disability Insurance Scheme, Government Services
  • Tony Burke - Employment and Workplace Relations, Arts
  • Tanya Plibersek - Environment, Water
  • Don Farrell - Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State
  • Mark Butler - Health and Aged Care
  • Chris Bowen - Climate Change and Energy
  • Catherine King - Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Local Government
  • Brendan O'Connor - Skills and Training
  • Mark Dreyfus - Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary
  • Michelle Rowland - Communications
  • Julie Collins - Housing, Homelessness, Small Business
  • Jason Clare - Education
  • Clare O'Neil - Home Affairs and Cyber Security
  • Amanda Rishworth - Social Services
  • Ed Husic - Industry and Science
  • Murray Watt - Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Emergency Management
  • Madeleine King - Resources and Northern Australia
  • Matt Keogh - Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel
  • Pat Conroy - Defence Industry, International Development and the Pacific
  • Stephen Jones - Assistant Treasurer and Financial Services
  • Andrew Giles - Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
  • Anne Aly - Early Childhood Education and Youth
  • Anika Wells - Aged Care and Sport
  • Kristy McBain - Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.