Tasmanian Labor announced shadow cabinet in major reshuffle

With a new leader at the helm, Dean Winter has revealed a major shake-up to Labor’s shadow cabinet. Reasons for the changes >>

Shadow Cabinet announced, Josh Willie MP, Labor Leader Dean Winter MP and Ella Haddad MP at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Labor leader Dean Winter has unveiled his shadow cabinet, with a major shake-up to roles.

The new opposition leader has created portfolios for Integrity and Cost of Living, in a move Mr Winter says signals the party’s priorities.

Former leader Rebecca White takes on the shadow Attorney-General role, along with Integrity; Josh Willie is shadow treasurer, Ella Haddad takes on health, Sarah Lovell will be responsible for education and parliamentary newcomer Meg Brown takes on transport.

Mr Winter said it was clear to him Labor needed to change its line-up.

“Having just lost our fourth election in a row, it’s clear that we need to change some things and so this reshuffle represents very significant change in fact, almost all the portfolios have changed.

“We need to do our best to reconnect with regional Tasmania to focus on jobs, on the economy and holding this government to account.

“We have to make sure that Tasmanians understand exactly what we stand for.

“We stand for jobs, opportunities, we stand for jobs that are well paid, that are safe and secure.

“And in order for us to prosecute that we need the best possible team behind us.”

Shadow Cabinet announced, Ella Haddad MP, Labor Leader Dean Winter MP and Josh Willie MP at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Winter said Rebecca White was one of Labor’s strongest parliamentary performers.

“I know that she will do an excellent job of holding this government to account as shadow Attorney-General, but also in that integrity portfolio,” he said.

“We have seen this government fail time after time when it comes to integrity.”

Ms Haddad said there was much work for the opposition to hold the government to account in the health portfolio.

“We’ve got the worst ambulance waiting times, we’ve got significant wait times for elective surgery. This is a portfolio that I’m very passionate about,” she said.

“There’s no doubt that Tasmanians are sick of hearing the same old excuses from the Liberal Party.”

And Mr Willie said Tasmania was a great state but was being poorly served by current policies.

“There is a bleak forecast for the economy moving forward, our state’s finances are in the worst shape they have ever been,” he said.

We’ve got record deficits, we’ve got record debt, and we’ve got nothing to show for it, Tasmanians are not getting the public services they deserve … we’ve got Tasmanians leaving in droves for better opportunities elsewhere.”

The shadow cabinet:

Dean Winter: Leader; Trade and Major Investment; Tourism and Hospitality; Jobs, Workplace Relations and Safety

Anita Dow: Deputy Leader; Infrastructure; TAFE, Skills and Training; Regional Development;

Local Government; Small Business

Shane Broad: Leader of Opposition Business; Housing; Planning; Building and Construction; Consumer Affairs; Resources

Meg Brown: Opposition Whip; Transport; Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence

Jen Butler: Police, Fire and Emergency Management; Corrections and Rehabilitation; Veteran’s Affairs

Luke Edmunds: Finance; Racing; Sports and Events

Janie Finlay: Energy and Renewables; Parks, Environment and Climate Change; Primary Industries and Water; Science and Technology

Ella Haddad: Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing; Multicultural Affairs; Disability

Equality

Sarah Lovell: Leader of Opposition Business in the Legislative Council; Education and Early Years

Michelle O’Byrne: Economic Development; Children and Youth; Community Services; Women; Heritage and Arts

Rebecca White: Attorney-General; Justice; Integrity

Josh Willie: Treasury; Cost of Living; Aboriginal Affairs

Craig Farrell: President of the Legislative Council.

Originally published as Tasmanian Labor announced shadow cabinet in major reshuffle