Glaring detail in Albo’s new line up of frontbenchers

Anthony Albanese’s newly sworn in cabinet has one unmistakeable feature which many Aussies have welcomed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new frontbench looks like none other Australia has ever seen.

Setting a new bar for female representation, 13 out of the 30 ministers sworn in at Canberra’s Government House on Wednesday are women.

Some of the faces are familiar, like Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek and former ACT Chief Minister, now Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher.

Others are brand new to the frontbench like Anika Wells, Kristy McBain, Ged Kearney and Anne Aly – all of whom have been in parliament for less than five years.

In another historic moment for Dr Aly, along with Ed Husic, she became one of the first Muslim Australians to hold federal ministries, with both sworn in on the Qur’an.

Similarly, Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney is the first Indigenous woman to be named Indigenous Australians Minister.

“This is far more representative than any government party room has ever been in our history. We are making progress,” Mr Albanese said.

A record 13 out of the 30 ministers sworn in at Canberra’s Government House on Wednesday are women. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

The swearing in of the new look ministry came with a brief musical interruption.

A phone rang as MP Kristy McBain was shaking the Governor General’s hand, playing the riff of the 1987 INXS hit ‘Need You Tonight’.

The Prime Minister joked: “Can ministers not bring soundtracks, please”.

One by one, Labor frontbenchers stood before David Hurley to sign their commissions and take the oath of office, promising to serve the commonwealth of Australia, its land and its people.

Ms McBain was sworn in as the Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister.

MPs were sworn in order of seniority, with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers the first to follow Mr Albanese.

Defence Minister Richard Marles with the Governor-General, David Hurley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

Foreign Minister Penny Wong with Education Minister Jason Clare. Picture: Jenny Evans /Getty Images

Senator Wong said she was proud to have welcomed new members to the Labor caucus who reflected modern Australia.

“I’ve always believed that our parliament best serves the community when it reflects the community,” she wrote on Twitter.

The cabinet is also the most experienced incoming Labor government since federation, with more than half the ministers having previous frontbench experience in at a federal, state or territory level.

Mr Albanese said during the election campaign he intended to maintain the same team as in shadow ministry during the Morrison government’s tenure, which has largely remained true.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles has taken on the defence portfolio, overseeing record spending at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions.

Senate leader Penny Wong had already been sworn in as Foreign Affairs Minister and begun her duties overseas.

Linda Burney has been sworn in as the new Minister for Indigenous Australians. Picture: Jenny Evans / Getty Images

Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers had already been sworn into the Labor ministry. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tracey Nearmy

Also already sworn in were Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who will also hold portfolios for Women and the Public Service.

Those in charge of spearheading Labor’s highly anticipated climate change strategy will be Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Tony Burke will serve as leader of the House as well as Employment and Workplace Relations Minister and Arts Minister.

The Health and Aged Care portfolios will be held by Deputy Leader of the House Mark Butler.

Trade and Tourism Minister will be Deputy Senate leader Don Farrell.

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten will act as the minister overseeing the NDIS and Government Services.

Jason Clare will serve as Education Minister Education and Julie Collins will take on the portfolios for Housing, Homelessness and Small Business.

Australia’s Attorney-General will be Mark Dreyfus, who will also serve as Cabinet Secretary.

Senator Pat Dodson will serve as a special envoy for reconciliation and the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has also taken on the women’s portfolio. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

Anne Aly and Tanya Plibersek were are among a record number of women on the frontbench. Picture: Jenny Evans / Getty Images

Anne Aly will serve as early Childhood Education and Youth Minister and Anika Wells will take on the Aged Care and Sport portfolios.

Dr Aly has taken over a Left faction frontbench position vacated by Terri Butler who lost her Brisbane-based seat of Griffith to the Greens.

The new ministry has been sworn in before Mr Albanese flies to Indonesia on Sunday.

Mr Albanese on Tuesday addressed Labor senators and MPs at the first federal caucus since the party won the federal election.

“We have a position whereby I think we have an overflow of talent on our side of the parliament,” he said.

Full list of portfolios:

Jim Chalmers – Treasurer

Penny Wong – Senate Leader and Foreign Minister

Richard Marles – Deputy PM and Defence

Tanya Plibersek – Environment and Water

Jason Clare – Education

Katy Gallagher – Finance, Public Service and Women

Mark Dreyfus – Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary

Tony Burke – Leader of the House, Employment and Workplace Relations and Arts

Don Farrell – Tourism and Travel and Special Minister of State

Clare O’Neil – Home Affairs

Amanda Rishworth – Social Services

Bill Shorten – NDIS and Government Services

Mark Butler – Health and Aged Care

Chris Bowen – Climate Change and Energy

Catherine King – Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

Madeleine King – Resources and Northern Australia

Brendan O’Connor – Skills and Training

Murray Watt – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Emergency Management

Linda Burney – Indigenous Australians

Julie Collins – Housing, Homelessness and Small Business

Michelle Rowland – Communications

Ed Husic – Industry and Science

Stephen Jones – Assistant Treasurer and Financial Services

Anne Aly – Early Childhood Education and Youth

Kristy McBain – Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

Andrew Giles – Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs

Matt Keogh – Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel

Pat Conroy – Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific

Anika Wells – Sport and Aged Care