Anthony Albanese’s top team ‘will stay in place’

Anthony Albanese says his expectation is for his shadow ministers to “serve in the same position that they are in now” if he wins office.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, left, says his shadow ministers, such as Richard Marles, right, are likely to stay in their portfolios. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Anthony Albanese has moved to provide greater certainty to voters over Labor’s frontbench line-up, saying his expectation is for his shadow ministers to “serve in the same position that they are in now” if he wins office.

The Opposition Leader provided the assurance after deputy Richard Marles declined to say whether he would switch to a new portfolio such as defence in the event of a Labor victory.

Mr Albanese was also aiming to create a greater contrast with the government after new questions emerged over who might take over the health and education portfolios if the Coalition were returned to power.

After Scott Morrison called the election, Mr Albanese said he led a team that would constitute the “most experienced incoming Labor government in history”.

The Prime Minister also said he had a “tried and tested and proven team”. He referenced the roles played by Josh Frydenberg, Peter Dutton as ­Defence Minister, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews, Marise Payne as Foreign Minister and outgoing Health Minister Greg Hunt.

He said his frontbench team could deliver on the economic ­recovery plan outlined in the budget because it was “our team that has been able to deliver what has been one of the strongest recoveries we’ve seen anywhere in the world”.

Mr Morrison said he would ­reveal in the “course of the next week or so” who would hold the crucial health portfolio if he was successful at the May 21 poll.

He also said Alan Tudge, who has stood aside as education minister, remained a part of his cabinet. Mr Tudge has been on unpaid leave from the ministry since March when he stood down “in the interests of his family and his own wellbeing” after he was cleared by an investigation of physically and emotionally abusing former staffer Rachelle Miller, with whom he had a affair.

Labor is demanding the Prime Minister explain whether Mr Tudge will resume his duties as education minister should the ­Coalition be re-elected.

Mr Marles, who as Labor deputy leader can select his own job in a future Albanese government, refused to say on Sunday whether he would take defence.

“I’m not going to walk down this path,” he told the ABC’s Insiders program. “We don’t know who the health minister will be if Scott Morrison is re-elected.”

Mr Marles is currently the Labor spokesman for national ­reconstruction, employment, skills and small business.

“I’m really focused on reconstruction,” he said.

He also refused to say whether he would take the Treasury portfolio held by Jim Chalmers.

“Jim Chalmers has done a fantastic job as our Treasury spokesman. I think all of those are questions for Anthony,” he said.

Despite saying it was his expectation for his team to remain unchanged, Mr Albanese acknowledged that after the election, the Labor caucus would elect the frontbench.

As leader, Mr Albanese is responsible for assigning portfolios.

“Our caucus, as a democratic party, elects the frontbench,” he said. “I’m absolutely satisfied with the job that everyone is doing.”

Mr Albanese said on his frontbench there was no one ­“disappearing” and no one “withdrawing” and Labor was putting forward a constructive alternative plan for the nation.