Bright sparks Andrew Charlton and Daniel Mulino to shine, but toe economic line

The appointment of Andrew Charlton and Daniel Mulino to cabinet is as much about keeping a tight rein over economic messages as it is about giving them room to showcase their talents.

New cabinet secretary and assistant minister for science, technology and the digital economy Andrew Charlton. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

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The appointment of economic ­experts Andrew Charlton and Daniel Mulino to Anthony Albanese’s new cabinet is as much about keeping a tight rein over Labor’s messages on economic policy as it is about giving two ­rising stars some room to showcase their talents.

Dr Charlton’s promotion, as foreshadowed by The Australian, sees him take cabinet secretary and assistant minister for science, technology and the digital economy, while Dr Mulino was given assistant treasurer and minister for financial services.

The appointments were described by one Labor cabinet minister on Tuesday as introducing economic “foxes”, not “hedgehogs”, to cabinet.

While this might be perceived as placing pressure on Jim Chalmers, the move would also ensure stability.

The cabinet secretary position, which had been held by Mark Dreyfus before he was dumped in a move criticised by former Labor prime minister Paul Keating, was described by Mr Albanese as “an administrative role”.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd creating the ministerial cabinet secretary position in 2007.

“They have an important role to play in determining the cabinet agenda in liaising with the Prime Minister’s office, making sure they’re working across government,” Mr Albanese said.

This was described by one politician as code for “containing” Dr Charlton, who is regarded as having bold policy ideas.

Mr Albanese described Dr Charlton as “very experienced” and that his policy input would be confined to “particular work with Tim Ayres in the industry area on new technology, AI, all of the impact that it’s going to have on the changing nature of our economy”.

Dr Charlton’s role was largely that of another dumped minister – Ed Husic, who described being factionally assassinated on the weekend because of overrepresentation from Labor’s NSW Right.

Mr Albanese said Dr Charlton also had the necessary skills to closely advise prime ministers on global economics.

“I saw first-hand the work he did at the G20 meeting that was held in London. It was in 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis. He is exceptionally qualified to do that and he will play a really important role there,” Mr Albanese said.

Dr Charlton advised Mr Rudd on the GFC response, as well as the resource super-profits tax, which was later ditched by then treasurer Wayne Swan, who was being advised at the time by Dr Chalmers.

Economics professor Ross Garnaut, who backed Labor’s mining taxes, said Dr Charlton was a good choice for the Prime Minister to keep close. “Andrew is a trained economist with a very good mind and exactly the sort of person we should have in cabinet,” Professor Garnaut said.

In a statement from the Treasurer following the cabinet line-up announcement there was no mention of Dr Charlton as part of the economics team, but multiple references to Dr Mulino.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with Daniel Mulino as the new assistant treasurer and minister for financial services,” Dr Chalmers said.

Dr Mulino, whose PhD in economics from Yale University was on the impact of an ageing society on capital investment, is regarded as technically proficient and someone who will not rock the boat. Mr Albanese said Dr Merlino was “someone who was very pleased to get that job”.

“He’s terrific and he’ll do a very good job. He is very well qualified,” he said.

Dr Mulino was congratulated by Self-Managed Super Fund ­Association chief executive Peter Burgess, who said that he was “looking forward to a constructive relationship” with the new ­minister on issues that would ­impact the sector.