Anthony Albanese announces new Labor portfolios

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten will look after the National Insurance Disability Scheme and government services under the opposition's new shadow portfolios.

Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese speaks to the media in Sydney

Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese speaks to the media in Sydney Source: AAP

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has announced portfolios for his shadow ministry, with former leadership team Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek remaining in the cabinet.

Mr Shorten has been handed the National Disability Insurance Scheme shadow minister position as well as for government services, while Ms Plibersek remains on education and training.

NSW senator Kristina Keneally will be Labor's first spokeswoman for home affairs on top of her deputy Senate leader role.



As expected, Queensland MP Jim Chalmers has been given the role of shadow treasurer from Chris Bowen, who has been given the health portfolio.

This is a wide step for Mr Bowen, who was central to the financial policies Labor took to the election - such as changes to franking credits and negative gearing.

The policies were the focus of the government's election campaign and were pivotal in Labor's loss.

Jim Chalmers has put his hand up to be the next leader of the Labor Party.
Jim Chalmers. Source: AAP


Mr Albanese says Dr Chalmers will lead an "effective team", which also includes ACT senator Katy Gallagher on finance and Stephen Jones with financial services.

"Our economic team I think is particularly strong," Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney on Sunday as he announced the new line-up.

Mr Albanese says Mr Bowen is "quite pleased" with his new role, as is Mr Shorten.

"He looks forward to it with enthusiasm and he will do the job well. He is an important part of our team," the new leader said about Mr Shorten.

Queensland MP Terri Butler will take on environment and water while Mark Butler is to remain on energy and climate change.



Catherine King - who had health for a record six years as a shadow minister - will now look after infrastructure, transport and regional development.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles remains on defence, while Senate leader Penny Wong will also stay with the foreign affairs portfolio.

Canberra-based MP Andrew Leigh, who was dumped from the shadow ministry in the post-election reshuffle, will become shadow assistant minister for Treasury and charities.

LABOR'S SHADOW CABINET

* Leader Anthony Albanese

* Richard Marles remains with defence as well as deputy party leader

* Penny Wong remains foreign affairs spokeswoman and leader in the Senate

* Kristina Keneally gains home affairs and the deputy Senate leader role

* Tony Burke takes on industrial relations, arts, and will remain manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives

* Bill Shorten becomes shadow minister for the National Insurance Disability Insurance Scheme, and government services

* Tanya Plibersek stays in the role of Labor's spokeswoman for education and training

* Jim Chalmers moves into the shadow treasurer role

* Mark Butler retains the energy and climate change portfolio and is deputy manager of opposition business in the lower house

* Chris Bowen shifts to a new role of shadow health minister

* Catherine King moves into infrastructure, transport and regional development

* Joel Fitzgibbon stays with agriculture while also adding resources to his role

* Don Farrell becomes shadow special minister of state, sport, tourism, and will assist Mr Albanese in his duties as Labor leader

* Mark Dreyfus remains shadow attorney-general, as well as the spokesman for constitutional reform

* Michelle Rowland remains in the communications portfolio

* Katy Gallagher gains the finance role, as well as public service and manager of opposition business in the Senate

* Linda Burney stays in the role of spokeswoman for families and social services, adding the indigenous Australians portfolio

* Julie Collins stays with ageing and seniors but also gets the women portfolio

* Brendan O'Connor keeps employment and industry, adding science and small and family business

* Jason Clare becomes shadow minister for regional services, territories and local government, housing and homelessness

* Amanda Rishworth remains with early childhood education, also gets the youth portfolio

* Terri Butler moves into the environment and water portfolio

* Madeleine King moves into the trade portfolio


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4 min read
Published 2 June 2019 3:34am
Updated 2 June 2019 8:12pm


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