Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveils his ministry and cabinet

Labor’s cabinet has been revealed, with a shake-up for national security and a record number of women elevated to ministry roles. See the full list.

A record number of women have been elevated into the senior ranks of the Australian Government as Anthony Albanese unveiled a broad shake up of roles in his first ministry.

The Prime Minister revealed his new front bench on Tuesday evening, attributing a number of changes to cabinet portfolios and several demotions as a result of having a team “overflowing” with talent.

Including Mr Albanese, there are 23 MPs and Senators in the Labor Government cabinet, of which 10 are women – more than at any other time in Australia’s history.

A further three women are in the broader ministry and six in the outer ministry, bringing the total number of females on the frontbench to 19 out of 42 positions.

As Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles got to choose his role and will become Australia’s next Defence Minister, a portfolio he held in opposition prior to a reshuffle early last year.

Deputy PM Richard Marles chose the Defence portfolio. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

Requiring Brendan O'Connor to move into Skills and Training Picture: Jane Dempster

That prompted a move for Brendan O’Connor to Skills and Training Minister.

The Left and Right factions handed Anthony Albanese a list of senior MPs for the government front bench, with the Prime Minister deciding who gets what portfolio.

Jim Chalmers as Treasurer, Katy Gallagher as Finance Minister and Penny Wong as Foreign Minister were already sworn in but other key positions have now been confirmed.

Ms Gallagher had Women and the Public Service added to her responsibilities, while Victorian MP Clare O’Neil was given a major promotion as Home Affairs and Cyber Security Minister.

Queensland Senator Murray Watt was also elevated into cabinet as Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Emergency Management Minister.

Mr Albanese attributed a much broader than expected shake up on the loss of two senior shadow ministers at the election in NSW Senator Kristina Keneally, who held home affairs, and Griffith MP Terri Butler, who was responsible for environment and water.

Chris Bowen has been confirmed as Minister for Climate Change and Energy, as expected. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Labor MP Clare O'Neil’s elevation to the Home Affairs portfolio marks a departure from the shadow ministry. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Several senior figures were given new cabinet portfolios including Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek being made Environment and Water Minister, Blaxland MP Jason Clare becoming Education Minister and Kingston MP Amanda Rishworth as Social Services Minister.

South Australian Senator Don Farrell, who was appointed Trade and Tourism Minister and Special Minister of State, also received a promotion to Labor’s deputy leader in the senate – a role Ms Keneally also previously held.

As a result three of the four leadership roles in Labor are held by men.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, who is leader in the senate, is the only woman.

By comparison the Liberals have a 50-50 gender split with Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley in the lower house and Simon Birmingham and Michaelia Cash in the senate.

Australia's new Treasurer Jim Chalmers shakes hands with Governor-General David Hurley after taking his oath. Picture: AFP

Two thirds of the Nationals’ senior team are women, with David Littleproud as leader, Perin Davey his deputy and Bridget McKenzie leader in the senate.

Mr Albanese said he believed Labor was “very close” to achieving equal representation of men and women in senior roles.

“We are making progress,” he said.

“I want to see 50-50 representation across all of the spectrum (of roles).

“I also want to see a parliament and a government that reflects the diversity that is there of the Australian people themselves.”

Other cabinet roles remained the same as when Labor was in opposition.

Tanya Plibersek has moved to Environment and Water Minister. Picture: Liam Kidston

Familiar Labor face Bill Shorten is now the NDIS Minister.

New entrants to the ministry included NSW MP Kristy McBain, who has impressed colleagues since winning the Eden Monaro by-election in 2020, and was appointed Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.

In response to Labor securing a huge number of seats in Western Australia, Cowan MP Anne Aly has landed a post on the outer ministry as Early Childhood Education and Youth Minister. Queensland MP Anika Wells is also in the outer ministry as Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his new ministry and cabinet. Picture: Andrew Taylor

Queensland MP Shayne Neumann, who had been Labor’s spokesman for veterans affairs, lost his position under affirmative action rules.

To the MPs who missed out on a role, Mr Albanese said there would be other “opportunities” to contribute.

Labor is expected to finish with a majority of 77 lower house seats after Josh Burns narrowly retained the Victorian seat of Macnamara and Fiona Phillips pulled ahead enough to keep her NSW seat of Gilmore.

Speaking to his colleagues earlier on Tuesday, Mr Albanese said this majority had given Labor a “clear mandate” to deliver on their election commitments.

“I want to remind you that you shouldn’t waste a day in government. We don’t intend to,” he said.