New Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas unveils Labor’s shadow cabinet

LABOR rising star Stephen Mullighan has claimed the prized treasury portfolio in a new-look Opposition frontbench which boasts double the number of women as in the Liberal Cabinet.

• ‘I won’t be a wrecker’, Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas pledges
• Malinauskas elected Opposition Leader with Susan Close as deputy
• South Australian Labor front bench to include up to six women

LABOR rising star Stephen Mullighan has claimed the prized treasury portfolio in a new-look Opposition frontbench which boasts double the number of women as in the Liberal Cabinet.

A day after being elected as Labor’s new leader, Peter Malinauskas on Tuesday revealed the portfolios of his 14-person frontbench, which includes former treasurer Tom Koutsantonis moving away from that role and returning to transport while also keeping energy. He also has a new “government accountability” portfolio, offering wide scope to attack the Government.

Newly elected Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Close and Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas. Picture: AAP / Morgan Sette

Opposition Deputy Leader Susan Close has taken education and environment and water under a convention which allows Labor’s second in charge to select their own frontbench role.

Labor’s Upper House Leader Kyam Maher is elevated to the Opposition attorney-general role and will have a heavy load leading the charge against four ministers in that chamber.

Labor’s health spokesman will be Chris Picton, a former police minister. He has also been chief of staff to both state and federal former health ministers in John Hill and Nicola Roxon.

Former minister Zoe Bettison has trade, Tony Piccolo obtains planning and urban development and Katrine Hildyard has been given sport and the status of women. Frontbench newcomer Lee Odenwalder has the police role, Eddie Hughes receives primary industries and regional development, Nat Cook gets human services and Clare Scriven takes industry and skills.

Former journalist Jayne Stinson has the challenging child protection portfolio.

Labor’s health spokesman will be Chris Picton.

Nat Cook gets human services.

Former premier Jay Weatherill and ex-ministers John Rau, Leon Bignell and Ian Hunter will retreat the backbench. Mr Malinauskas has said he does not expect by-elections.

Mr Malinauskas denied Mr Koutsantonis was being sidelined, and said he would play a critical role as manager of opposition business in Parliament keeping ministers to account.

“We have to use the Parliament in every possible way we can,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“Tom Koutsantonis is now the father of the house and brings with him all of the experience that comes with such a title.

“His function and role there will be incredibly important. Every single promise that the Liberal Party made during their time in Opposition, we’re going to hold them to account on.

“We want Tom’s laser focus ... to sustain that effort.”

Zoe Bettison will be trade spokeswoman.

Tom Koutsantonis is returning to transport while also keeping energy. Picture: David Mariuz/AAP

After taking the leadership, Mr Malinauskas said he would reconsider a range of Labor’s past positions. On Tuesday, he said a meeting was planned with Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander to discuss his calls for open maladministration inquiries.

“We’ve got to start to review our position on a range of issues,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“If our position was perfect and entirely in sync with the SA community, then we wouldn’t be here in Opposition. But we are. We need to conduct a through analysis.”

Labor’s frontbench has six women, compared to three in Premier Steven Marshall’s Cabinet.

Parliament will commence sitting next month. Mr Marshall has said he will introduce shop trading reform legislation as soon as possible, and is positioning it as a test for Mr Malinauskas’ leadership given the new Labor leader’s former role as a union boss.

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