Mark Butler dumped from climate, energy portfolios in Labor reshuffle

Anthony Albanese will move Mark Butler in a shadow cabinet reshuffle aimed at soothing internal division destabilising his leadership.

Labor MP Mark Butler is set to be dumped from Labor’s climate change and energy portfolios. Picture: Sean Davey

Anthony Albanese will move Mark Butler from the contentious climate change and energy portfolios in a shadow cabinet reshuffle aimed at soothing internal division destabilising his leadership.

Senior sources have told The Australian that Mr Butler, the architect of Labor’s uncosted 45 per cent emissions reduction target at the last election, will leave the portfolio he has held since 2013 as the ALP moves to repair the divisions between its industrial and environmental wings.

Speculation was growing within the federal Labor caucus on Wednesday night that the climate and energy role would be given to Chris Bowen, from the NSW right. Mr Bowen is currently health spokesman.

The shadow cabinet reshuffle, to be announced on the weekend, comes as pressure grows on Mr Albanese’s leadership with his predecessor Bill Shorten at the weekend describing Labor’s policy agenda as “tiny” but maintaining support for the Opposition Leader.

Labor MP Mark Butler and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: Sean Davey

Mr Albanese on Wednesday night dismissed his leadership was under threat and declared 2020 was a difficult year for all opposition parties.

“But when you look at the position we’re in going into what may well be an election year at the end of the year, in terms of all the polling, we’re very competitive,” Mr Albanese told the ABC’s 7.30.

“Most importantly, we’ll focus on the people who we need to vote for us rather than focus on ourselves.”