Anthony Albanese’s long-awaited shadow cabinet reshuffle has ended up larger than planned, with an overhaul of the contentious climate portfolio and changes in other key areas of defence, health, employment, resources and industry.
The Labor leader has also invented new portfolios focusing on government accountability and national reconstruction, with all eyes on the opposition’s priorities and key personnel ahead of what is expected to be an election year.
Climate spokesman Mark Butler has had a direct swap with shadow health minister Chris Bowen. Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles has a new “super portfolio” under the title of ‘national reconstruction’, including employment, skills, small business and science, with a focus on the post-COVID economy.
Former shadow employment minister Brendan O’Connor will move into Mr Marles’ old portfolio of defence. Shadow home affairs minister Kristina Keneally takes on a new responsibility of ‘government accountability’, former resources shadow Ed Husic has moved into industry and innovation, while trade spokesperson Madeline King also picks up resources.
Mr Albanese had previously planned to announce the shadow ministry changes over the weekend. However, after Mr Butler’s switch from the climate role was leaked on Wednesday night, the Labor leader fast-tracked the rejig to Thursday afternoon.
New: here’s Labor’s shadow ministry reshuffle. New roles for Bowen, Butler, Marles, O’Connor (as expected) but also for Keneally, Collins, Husic, King pic.twitter.com/chzDcDk7fL
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) January 28, 2021
Mr Butler, a left-faction heavyweight, has been attacked by former resources minister Joel Fitzgibbon for being too “enthusiastic” on climate. Mr Butler has been Labor’s shadow climate minister since 2013, but was criticised inside the party for not being able to sell the party’s environmental message.
The previous tension between the climate and resources roles means there will be particular attention on the working relationship between Mr Bowen and Ms King, who are both from the party’s right flank.
Mr Albanese said Mr Bowen’s CV meant he would be qualified for the climate role.
“I regard it as an economic portfolio and therefore someone who has been the Treasurer of Australia is eminently qualified to fill that role,” Mr Albanese said.
He shot down questions about whether switching the climate role to Mr Bowen was a sign of Labor downgrading its commitment to environmental action.
“I’m absolutely committed to strong action on climate change. I’ve been committed for a very long period of time,” Mr Albanese said.
In a Wednesday night interview on the ABC’s 7.30 program, the Labor leader said he expected to be “very strongly positioned” for an election, expected to be held late this year. Mr Albanese said he hoped to use the reshuffle to highlight Labor’s priorities.
“I’m sure that it will achieve a stronger team going forward with the right people in the right jobs,” he said.
–more to come
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