NewsBite

Diversity rules as new broom sworn in

The beaming smiles of Anthony Albanese’s first ministry at Government House masked a bittersweet day for Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek.

The class photo after the ministerial swearing-in. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor
The class photo after the ministerial swearing-in. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

The beaming smiles and back slaps among members of Anthony Albanese’s first ministry at Government House masked a ­bittersweet day for Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek.

Amid a sense of relief, unbridled joy and anxiety felt by Labor’s new ministry in reclaiming power after nine years in the political wilderness, Shorten and Plibersek could only grit their teeth and wonder – what if?

After leading Labor to two election defeats in six years, their influence in the cabinet room has been diminished after Albanese handed them the ­laborious and challenging NDIS, environment and water portfolios.

Aspiring cabinet ministers usually put those jobs near the bottom of their wish lists.

Albanese’s cabinet and ministerial appointments, boasting the highest number of women, Indigenous and multicultural ministers in our history, rewarded some of the Prime Minister’s closest ­allies and put others in their place.

Sat in the front row at Yarra­lumla was Albanese’s Praetorian Guard: Richard Marles, Penny Wong, Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher, chief-of-staff Tim Gartrell and partner Jodie Haydon.

But all eyes were on Plibersek – Albanese’s Left-faction adversary – who was stripped of the education and women portfolios she held in opposition since 2016 and handed environment and water.

Illustration: Johannes Leak
Illustration: Johannes Leak

On the surface, Plibersek had graciously accepted her commission and looked “forward to the challenge”. Yet few in Labor ranks believe she is enthusiastic about leading the Murray-Darling Basin Authority from her inner-Sydney base.

Shorten, who usurped Albanese’s ambition to lead Labor after the 2013 election, would have felt mixed emotions after spending years visualising himself sweeping the ALP into government.

Tanya Plibersek with David Hurley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor
Tanya Plibersek with David Hurley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Marles on Wednesday said Plibersek’s new roles were not a demotion and environment and water were “enduring passions” for the former deputy Labor leader.

“People change roles. That happens in the establishment of new cabinets, particularly in the aftermath of elections, it happens whenever there is a reshuffle.

“And this is a really critical role. We need one of our very best performers in it, and that’s why Tanya is there,” he said.

Embarking on a three-year term, Labor MPs view the 47th parliament as a chance to extinguish the ghosts of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard and set up the ALP for a new power dynasty.

After years of factional warring, the old and new breeds of Labor ministers were given the green-light by the ­Governor-General, David Hurley, to reclaim the ministerial wing and its blue carpets from the Coalition.

While the core of Albanese’s team remained untouched, with the exception of Marles taking the defence portfolio from Brendan O’Connor, there were a few ­surprises.

The elevation of rookie minister Clare O’Neil into the home ­affairs super portfolio will be a key focus for Peter Dutton when he unveils his frontbench line-up on Friday.

O’Neil, Marles and Wong will come under pressure from the Coalition amid unprecedented Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, rising cyber attacks, the soft diplomacy race in the South Pacific and concerns about people- smuggling activity.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney. Picture: Getty Images
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney. Picture: Getty Images

Introducing his frontbench team, Albanese watched on proudly as the nation’s first two Muslim ministers, Ed Husic and Anne Aly, were sworn in and Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney took her oath.

The young families of Jim Chalmers, Anika Wells, Amanda Rishworth and Mark Butler attended the ceremony, while Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke brought along a massive bible – a family heirloom passed down from his Irish great-grandfather.

Ahead of parliament returning on July 26, Albanese will turn his mind to Canberra’s public service mandarins.

Following the exit of Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens, DFAT secretary Kathryn Campbell and Infrastructure department head Simon Atkinson have been tipped by Labor sources as unlikely to survive a cull.

Opposition Senate leader Simon Birmingham raised questions about the historically low number of senators in Albanese’s ministry, with only four upper house representatives in cabinet and the outer ministry.

“While Paul Keating called the Senate ‘unrepresentative swill’, it seems that Anthony Albanese either views his Labor senators as incapable or is trying to avoid the scrutiny applied in the Senate,” Birmingham told The Australian.

Anthony Albanese with Bill Shorten, left, and Tanya Plibersek after the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra on Wednesday. Picture: AAP
Anthony Albanese with Bill Shorten, left, and Tanya Plibersek after the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra on Wednesday. Picture: AAP
Read related topics:Anthony Albanese

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/diversity-rules-as-new-broom-sworn-in/news-story/e633812322ae4c52554241da7442fe4e