Amanda Rishworth promoted in ‘record breaking’ diverse Labor cabinet

Amanda Rishworth has scored a huge promotion as one of four SA MPs named in Anthony Albanese’s front bench, which was sworn in on Wednesday morning.

Four South Australian MPs have been installed as federal government ministers in a cabinet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed as record breaking for its diversity.

Kingston MP Amanda Rishworth was given a huge promotion, becoming the new Social Services Minister, alongside nine other female cabinet ministers.

It is a significant step up from the early childhood education portfolio that she held in Opposition.

Mark Butler has become the country’s new Health and Aged Care Minister, while Don Farrell was given the dual positions of Trade and Tourism Minister and Special Minister of the State.

Senator Farrell is the new Deputy Leader of the Senate, serving under SA colleague Penny Wong, who was sworn in as Foreign Affairs Minister last week.

Ms Rishworth, Mr Butler and Senator Farrell were sworn in at Government House on Wednesday morning with the rest of the Labor frontbench.

Notable positions include Richard Marles as the Defence Minister, Mark Dreyfus as Attorney-General, Tanya Plibersek as Environment and Water Minister and Jason Clare as Education Minister.

Amanda Rishworth has become the new Social Services Minister. She was joined by her son Oscar at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

Hindmarsh MP Mark Butler will be the Health and Aged Care Minister.

Don Farrell was appointed Trade and Tourism Minister.

Labor’s cabinet features 10 women, which the Prime Minister said was “the largest number of women who have ever served in an Australian cabinet”.

“There are 13 women in the ministry and 19 frontbenchers – a record number in all three categories,” Mr Albanese said.

“This is far more representative than any government party room has ever been in our history.”

Ms Rishworth, taking over SA Senator Anne Ruston’s old portfolio, said her promotion was a “huge privilege” and celebrated her female colleagues.

“I hope it really shows girls around Australia that they can strive and they will have equal representation in the government of Australia,” she said.

Ms Rishworth’s son Oscar, 2, embraced his mum in her office at Parliament House ahead of the announcement on Tuesday.

Oscar, brother Percy, 7, and Ms Rishworth’s husband Tim were due to attend the cabinet swearing-in ceremony.

Mr Butler said that he was “honoured” to become the Health and Aged Care Minister and vowed to prioritise making it “easier” for Australians to see a doctor.

Senator Farrell said it was a “great honour” to be “representing our great state” as a “proud South Australian”.

Ms Rishworth said the high number of SA MPs in cabinet meant the “interests of South Australians will be well served”.

Mr Albanese addressed the Labor caucus on Tuesday morning as he declared how he wanted to govern.

“Planning is the first step, faith is the second step and solidarity is the third,” he said on Tuesday.

“They are the three things that I want to define this caucus (and this parliament.”