List exposes truth about Plibersek ‘shafting’

A telling list compiled by Anthony Albanese about the hierarchy of his new-look cabinet reveals exactly what he thinks about Tanya Plibersek.

Did Tanya Plibersek really get shafted as some are asserting in the Prime Minister’s new cabinet?

Treasurer Jim Chalmers described the reshuffle as “messy” on breakfast television on Tuesday.

As to the truth-telling on the fallout, which saw respected Labor MPs Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus dumped, the Treasurer had this to say.

“I do think it was unfortunate, and I think it was messy,’’ he said.

“I think that’s self-evident. This is what happens when you’ve got more good people than you can fit into a Cabinet or a ministry or the broader ranks.

“I feel for those two guys, in particular. And nobody really wants to see, you know, people left out in that fashion. But this is what - we’ve got so many good people we’ve got to fit into this Cabinet.

“So, at a human level, I feel for Ed and Mark.

“Both of those guys are good people and, like a lot of people in our team, they made a good contribution last term.”

In Labor-speak that’s drawing quite a line compared to the Prime Minister, who tried to pretend that it was just how the factions work.

And unlike the Prime Minister who is still steadfastly refusing to thank Mr Dreyfus and Mr Husic or their staff who will lose their jobs for their service, the Treasurer says he “feels for” the two men who were dumped - Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus.

As the new team prepares to be sworn in at Government House this morning what does it all mean?

Headlines this morning suggest Tanya Plibersek has been “shafted” but does that claim stack up?

Tanya Plibersek going in for a hug earlier this year. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

She was made to give an awkward air-kiss instead. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Fresh from the air kiss drama during the election campaign when she went in for a hug and got a weird mid-air handshake from the Prime Minister, Ms Plibersek’s new gig is as social services minister.

Don’t forget she went into the 2022 election as minister for education and women and came out the end in government as the minister for environment and assessing coal mines.

The reasons for the Prime Minister’s ambivalence, apart from the fact she’s a strong performer and is hugely popular - she received a higher primary vote in her electorate this election than Mr Albanese - are never clear.

If you’re curious as to the truth or untruthfulness of this claim she’s been shafted however, it all starts with a little list.

Just like the Royal family has an order of succession to the British throne, Australian Prime Ministers put out a handy list when they form a new cabinet.

The hierarchy of the list is no accident.

It has meaning and consequences.

Three years ago, when the Prime Minister released his first little cabinet list the hierarchy of his inner sanctum was clear.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is the second name on the list and that’s why he’s the Acting Prime Minister when Albo is on holiday overseas.

Number 3 on the list is Penny Wong, the Senate leader.

That’s also why she’s Acting Prime Minister sometimes over summer when the PM and the deputy PM are on holidays or overseas.

Anthony Albanese’s ‘list’ reveals his cabinet hierarchy

Ms Plibersek. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Now here’s where it starts to get interesting.

The fourth minister in seniority is the Treasurer Jim Chalmers and after him it’s the Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.

The next cab off the rank is the Trade Minister Don Farrell and after that comes the PM’s bestie Tony Burke.

In the first incarnation of the Albanese Government in 2022, Tanya Plibersek, in terms of the order of succession, was at number 10.

The names that came after her included Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, Labor frontbencher Catherine King and Education Minister Jason Clare.

Shoved way down the list was former leader Bill Shorten.

But what’s interesting and frankly a little rude about the PM’s new list is where Ms Plibersek now sits.

He has indeed demoted her a few rungs.

Ms Plibersek, a former deputy leader of the Labor Party, has slid right down from Number 10 to Number 14.

She’s now behind Catherine King, Jason Clare and Amanda Rishworth.

So it’s not strictly speaking true that going from the environment to social services is a demotion per se - the new environment minister Murray Watt is way down the list below her in the same portfolio - there is still a pettiness to the whole affair.

Ed Husic. Picture: ABC

Mark Dreyfus. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

However there is a contrarian argument here.

First, when you get that far down the pecking order it’s all just a little petty. It’s not like you are ever going to be Acting PM.

Does anyone seriously suggest that Tanya Plibersek has a lower public profile and has less impact than Catherine King and Amanda Rishworth?

It’s just a little bit silly and it says more about the Prime Minister than it says about Tanya Plibersek.

Second, social services is an important portfolio for a reforming Labor Government, regardless of whether it doesn’t include the NDIS or homelessness.

Personally, it’s a better gig in my opinion than the environmental portfolio.

Meanwhile, all the way down the bottom of the list is Tim Watts who is the Special Envoy for the Indian Ocean.

Can you imagine? The Special Envoy for the Sea?

It’s a longstanding interest for him and there are no doubt some important issues.

But getting leap-frogged over by the Minister for Big Hair Sam Rae has got to hurt.

And that’s why it really does make you wonder if Mr Watts, a likeable chap who first entered Parliament 12 long years ago as the Member for Gellibrand, plans to stick around.

Don’t get me wrong. The Indian Ocean is a majestic place.

It includes the Maldives.

And if the Prime Minister really had the health and wellbeing of Mr Watts front of mind, he could have made him Special Envoy to the Maldives which sounds quite luxurious.

Ambitious young Labor-ites seeking preselection for the seat of Gellibrand, polish your CVs.