Labor reshuffle ‘bandaid to a shark bite’

The federal opposition is defending its frontbench overhaul, saying it is not stepping away from strong climate change policies.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has defended a decision to cut some of Tanya Plibersek’s responsibilities under his frontbench shake-up.

Mr Albanese on Thursday scrapped training from his leadership rival’s remit and allocated a new skills role to his deputy Richard Marles.

Speaking about the reshuffle on Sunrise, Mr Albanese was asked if he was cutting Ms Plibersek out because she was coming for him.

“Not at all,” Mr Albanese said.

“I have altered her job, elevating the status of women portfolio which is something she asked to receive.”

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Anthony Albanese said earlier this month: ‘Tanya Plibersek has the job that she wants, which is the shadow education minister.’ Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Mr Albanese also ditched South Australian MP Mark Butler, who was responsible for the party’s ambitious emissions reductions targets at the last election, from the contentious climate and energy portfolio.

But he said Labor was not backing down on the issue.

“Any party that I lead will always be strong on climate change,” Mr Albanese said. “We need to take action.”

Mr Butler swapped roles with health spokesman Chris Bowen, who will now take on the vexed issues.

Chris Bowen will take on climate and energy, while Mark Butler will take on health and ageing. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“I believe climate change is the key economic challenge for the nation,” Mr Bowen told ABC RN.

“I think that the government’s approach is one which is destroying jobs.

“I’ll be holding them to account for Australians being a pariah in not having a target of zero by 2050.”

He said Labor’s policy on a medium or 2030 target would be “out there for all to see before the next election”.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said Labor’s position aligned with that of the newly elected US President Joe Biden.

Anthony Albanese, with deputy leader Richard Marles, unveiled the reshuffle on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles, who got the biggest promotion in the reshuffle, told Today that Mr Albanese would lead the party to the next election.

“What we saw yesterday with the reshuffle is seeking to put a focus on jobs,” Mr Marles said.

But Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who has had his fair share of leadership drama, said Mr Albanese had applied “a bandaid to a shark bite”.

“They can shuffle the personnel all they like – it can be Albo, it could be Tanya Plibersek, Richard,” Mr Dutton said.

“The fact is their policies are designed to destroy jobs, to jack up taxes, to increase electricity prices.”