Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveils new ministry featuring a record number of women

Several women have been elevated to senior roles, including Anne Aly who becomes the first Muslim woman to serve in an Australian ministry.

LABOR CAUCUS MEETING

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the make-up of his ministry during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on 31 May, 2022. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled his new cabinet and ministry lineup, declaring a record number of women will join Labor's leadership team.

The frontbench makeup is marked by the elevation of several women to senior roles, including Anne Aly who becomes the first Muslim woman to serve in an Australian ministry.

Mr Albanese said the leadership team would include 10 women in the cabinet, 13 in the ministry lineup and six more in the outer ministry.
"This is the largest number of women who have ever served in an Australian cabinet," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

Mr Albanese also used his press conference announcing the ministry to declare that

"This is an exciting team. It's a team that is overflowing, I think, with talent, with people who are absolutely committed to making a difference as ministers and assistant ministers," he said.

Women to take up senior positions will include Penny Wong as Foreign Minister, as well as Clare O'Neil promoted to the position of Home Affairs and Cyber Security.

Katy Gallagher continues in the roles of Finance Minister, the Minister for the Public Service and the Minister for Women.
Tanya Plibersek will become the Minister for Environment and Water, a decision which sees her move on from her long-held role as the party's education spokesperson.

Linda Burney will be the first Aboriginal woman to serve in an Australian cabinet when she's sworn in as Minister for Indigenous Australians, while Senator Patrick Dodson will serve as a Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the .

Malarndirri McCarty will become Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health.

Amanda Rishworth will be the Minister for Social Services, while Ms Aly takes on a role in the outer ministry as the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth.
Mr Albanese had earlier fronted members of his newly elected team on Tuesday during the first caucus meeting of the

The party is on track to , according to the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) count.

"This is a government that hit the ground running - this is a government that is determined to note waste a single day in office," Mr Albanese said.

"To give Australia a government that is worthy of the courage, resilience, and determination and compassion of the Australian people themselves."

Mr Albanese also announced the expected move of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles to the role of Defence Minister, while Jim Chalmers will be Treasurer.
Bill Shorten maintains his portfolio becoming the Minister for the NDIS and Minister for Government Services, as well as Mark Dreyfus as Attorney-General.

Ed Husic - who is also of the Muslim faith - will become the Minister for Industry and Science.

Tony Burke will be the Leader of the House as well as Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for the Arts, and Mark Butler will be Minister for Health and Aged Care.

Chris Bowen will be the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and Catherine King the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Local Government.

Brendan O'Connor will be the Minister for Skills and Training and Jason Clare will be the Minister for Education.
Julie Collins becomes the Minister for Housing the Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Small Business, while Michelle Rowland will be Minister for Communications, and Madeline King the Minister for Resources and the Minister for Northern Australia.

Senator Murray Watt will be the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Minister for Emergency Management.

Don Farrell becomes the Minister for Trade and Tourism.

In the outer ministry, Andrew Giles will be the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.
While Pat Conroy takes on the role of the Minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific.

Anika Wells will be the Minister for Aged Care and the Minister for Sport, and Kristy McBain the Minister for Industry Development and Territories - both in the outer ministry.

Stephen Jones will serve as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services.

Mr Albanese's leadership team will be sworn in at Government House on Wednesday morning.

Share
4 min read
Published 31 May 2022 6:16pm
Updated 31 May 2022 7:33pm
By Tom Stayner
Source: SBS News


Share this with family and friends