Election 2025: Plibersek a ‘friend’, but maybe not a future environment minister

Environment minister accuses media of self-absorbed commentary as the Prime Minister confirms his factional rival will be part of the ministry if re-elected.

Tanya Plibersek at the Melbourne launch of the ReMade Australia logo Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

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Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has declined to say whether she would seek to retain her portfolio if Labor is re-elected as Anthony Albanese was forced to confirm that his factional rival would remain a “senior minister” in any second term.

The Prime Minister left the door open as to whether Ms Plibersek would retain or be moved from her environment portfolio as the Labor Left heavyweight ­accused the media of focusing on “self-absorbed” commentary after an awkward “air kiss” with Mr Albanese during the party’s campaign launch in Perth.

In Melbourne on Tuesday to unveil the government’s new $25m “ReMade in Australia” recycling label, Ms Plibersek said she was not assuming anything about her political future.

“I’m not even guaranteed of winning my seat,” she said. “I’m focused on campaigning hard in my electorate to make sure I return as the member for Sydney.”

When asked whether she would like to continue in the environment role or pursue another portfolio after Mr Albanese had confirmed she would keep a senior position in cabinet, Ms Plibersek said she would not take “anything for granted”.

“I don’t take my own seat for granted … 100 per cent of our focus is on this election campaign,” she said. “I would be grateful to serve in a Labor cabinet.”

Ms Plibersek’s future dominated the event, with the minister swatting away media attention over the awkward greeting with Mr Albanese.

“I think it (coverage of the air kiss) shows how self-absorbed the media are, and how much they are in the Canberra bubble,” she said.

“You’re all talking about this dumb stuff.

“I guarantee you there is no one dropping the kids to school on a Wednesday morning ­thinking (about it) – ­people need to get a grip,” Ms Plibersek said.

Earlier on Tuesday, while campaigning in the Labor-held Tasmanian seat of Lyons, Mr ­Albanese was forced to confirm Ms Plibersek would be a “senior cabinet minister” if he were re-elected for a second term, after previously failing to give her the same public guarantee he gave other top figures like Jim Chalmers, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell.

Mr Albanese again declined to say whether Ms Plibersek would stay in the environment portfolio.

“The four leaders get the opportunity to have a direct say in what their portfolios are,” he said.

“So the four leaders – and there is a market reason why economic ministers would be maintained. Apart from that, when I’ve been asked about anyone else, I’ve given the same answers.

“I expect Tanya Plibersek will be a senior cabinet minister. She’s an important member of my team.

“But I’m not getting ahead of myself and naming all 22 – actually, all 42 portfolios – on the frontbench.”

Of his own leadership future he said “I’m not looking over my back, I’m looking forward”, adding he’d serve another full term if re-elected.

“(Labor) has had a revolving door (of leaders).

“I don’t think that’s in the interests of the Australian ­people.”

And of his female colleagues who could assume the leadership one day, Mr Albanese said “I’m not getting ahead of myself and I’m not getting ahead of the Australian people.

He added that he believed the next female prime minister would be of Labor stripes.