Richard Marles want Labor to focus on small business, science

Acting on concerns of small business, and stopping a decades long decline in the uptake of tertiary science study will be among priorities of deputy federal Labor leader Richard Marles following a shadow cabinet reshuffle.

Acting on concerns of small business, and stopping a decades long decline in the uptake of tertiary science study will be among priorities of deputy federal Labor leader Richard Marles following a shadow cabinet reshuffle.

The Corio MP was on Thursday installed to lead the party’s position on the national reconstruction amid the fall out from COVID-19.

The role will focus on employment, skills, small business, and science — an area he holds a degree in.

Mr Marles will let go of his shadow defence portfolio, a position he’s held since July 2016.

Speaking to the Geelong Advertiser, Mr Marles said Labor must seek to become the “party for small business” leading up to the next federal election because of its ability to power the economy.

“We have to present to small business the idea we seek to be their voice,” Mr Marles said.

“In the short term that is going to be a critical piece of making sure the unemployment numbers are coming down as quickly as possible.

“We need to make sure we are talking to the widest possible group of Australians.”

He said science must become “front and centre” in the national discussion about prosperity.

Richard Marles. Picture: Alison Wynd

“It is not too much to say that the most significant piece of micro-economic reform which is facing our country today is to infuse our society and our economy with science and technology.”

Mr Marles said that could, in part, be achieved by ensuring intellectual property discussions did not unnecessarily bog down deals commercialising research.

“As a nation we have to change our cultural relationship to science and I really look forward to being able to tell that story in the lead-up to the next election.

“Right now, we are among the worst commercialisers of public research in the OECD. If our Olympic team performed at that level there would be a Royal Commission.”

Mr Marles said the COVID-19 pandemic showed Australia did not have enough onshore manufacturing.

“As modern economies have climbed the technological ladder when it comes to manufacturing Australia has stood still.

“We have the opportunity to re-imagine Australia which has an economy in it that builds and generates permanent and long-term jobs.”

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the reshuffle gave Labor the strongest team to form government.

“The reshuffle is about putting jobs at the centre of what we do,” Mr Albanese said.

The Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese with the Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Richard Marles. Picture:NCA Newswire/Gary Ramage

“Right now insecure work and underemployment are at record highs. We have more than two million Australians that are either out of a job or can’t get the amount of work they need.”

The reshuffle will see former treasurer Chris Bowen take on the shadow climate and energy portfolio, Tasmania MP Julie Collins shadow agriculture and Brendan O’Connor shadow defence.

Kristina Keneally will become opposition spokeswoman for government accountability, Ed Husic will take on innovation and WA MP Madeleine King will go into the shadow trade and resources role.

Mr Albanese reconfirmed the party’s promise, if elected, to take action on climate change and set a target for zero net emissions by 2050.

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Originally published as Richard Marles want Labor to focus on small business, science