Following the historic victory that has placed Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP in the halls of Labor royalty alongside former Prime Ministers, the Hon Gough Whitlam AC, KC, and the Hon Robert Hawke AC, the Prime Minister has taken the week off to practice carpentry and to construct the new Labor Cabinet.
Whilst some have been busy listening to the sounds of hammers and drills ahead of the 48th Cabinet, the Coalition and the Greens have been busy selecting their leaders and discussing what the future looks like for them. If you, like many others, can’t bear opening another ABC, SMH, or Guardian article reporting on a hundred different items, join us at Nexus APAC as we wrap up a week that has seen more political controversies than the 5-week campaigns.
The 48th Cabinet
For the ALP and Prime Minister Albanese, the highs of election victory quickly gave way to the pressing task of preparing for the 48th Parliament and assigning ministerial portfolios.
Prime Minister Albanese afforded his colleagues less than a week’s break before summoning caucus members to Canberra for ministerial appointments and the formation of the 48th Cabinet.
Although the Prime Minister remained true to his word in keeping the central portfolios the same, there were some significant changes made across other parts of the Cabinet, particularly the demotion of the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, MP and the Hon Ed Husic MP from Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Science to the backbench,
Below are the other notable changes and new additions to the second term Albanese Cabinet:
Portfolio Adjustments
- The Department of Home Affairs has regained oversight of the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police after they were moved to the Attorney-General’s Department in the 47th
- The National Disability Insurance Scheme has been added to the Hon Mark Butler MP’s remit, in a new revamped title, Minister of Health and Ageing, Disability and the NDIS.
New Additions
- The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP has been elevated to the Cabinet.
- Senator the Hon Tim Ayres has been elevated to the Cabinet.
- The Hon Sam Rae MP has been elevated to the Outer Ministry.
- The Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP has been elevated to the Outer Ministry.
- Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh has been elevated to the Outer Ministry.
- The Hon Rebecca White MP has been immediately appointed to the Assistant Ministry. Ms White was previously the Leader of the Labor Party in Tasmania.
- Mr Peter Kahlil MP has been elevated to the Assistant Ministry.
- Dr Andrew Charlton MP has been elevated to the Assistant Ministry.
- Senator Nita Green has been elevated to the Assistant Ministry.
Notable Changes
- The Hon Michelle Rowland MP has been appointed Attorney-General.
- The Hon Anika Wells MP has been appointed Minister for Communications and Sport.
- Senator the Hon Murray Watt has been appointed Minister for Environment and Water.
- The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP has been appointed Minister for Social Services.
Liberal Party
Coming off the loss of its leader, the Hon Peter Dutton, the Liberal Party reconvened in Canberra to elect its new leader moving forward. The final ballot was between the Acting Leader, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, and the Shadow Treasurer, the Hon Angus Taylor. Following the caucus vote on Tuesday, 12 May, Ms Ley emerged victorious, officially becoming the first female leader of the Liberal Party. Mr Ted O’Brien MP was also elected Deputy Leader of the Party.
Opposition Leader Ley marks a new chapter for the Liberal Party. While Ms Ley has declined to provide an exact timeline for the formation of the Shadow Cabinet, it is anticipated to follow her discussions with Nationals Leader, the Hon David Littleproud MP. The Nationals are expected to request greater representation within the Shadow Cabinet due to a decline in Liberal-held seats within the Coalition.
National Party
According to the Nationals’ rules, following every election, all leadership positions are immediately vacated and require re-election by the Party Room. As such, on Monday, 11 May, Nationals Leader Mr Littleproud went up against Senator the Hon Matt Canavan in a contested ballot. Despite the Coalition’s loss, the Party Room remained faithful to Mr Littleproud and re-elected him leader, choosing not to disclose the count.
The Party Room also elected the Hon Kevin Hogan MP as the Deputy Leader of the Party.
Australian Greens
Following the loss of the former Greens Leader Adam Bandt in the seat of Melbourne, the Party reconvened on Thursday, 15 May in Melbourne, to elect its fifth federal leader. The ballot, although not officially disclosed, was a three-way contest between Senator Larissa Waters, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Following the meeting, the party emerged with a consensus vote in favour of Senator Waters becoming the fifth Federal Leader, and Senator Faruqi remaining as Deputy Leader.
In the lead-up to the first sitting week, expected at the end of July, all parties are likely to spend the coming weeks and months rebuilding their foundations and strategising for the next three years.
Photo credit: Rijksmuseum
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