Politics Now: Dutton ridicules Keneally’s home affairs appointment

Dutton says there is “no one less qualified” to hold the shadow portfolio.

Hello and welcome to Politics Now, The Weekend Australian’s live coverage of the day in politics. Labor leader Anthony Albanese has named his new frontbench — with several surprises — before heading out on a “listening tour”.

Christine Kellett 3.50pm: Chalmers’ pledge to ‘modernise economy’

Labor’s newly appointed Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he is “spoiling for a fight” on the economy as he seeks to put the party’s election loss behind it.

“Now the task for all of us is to rebuild and refresh our economic policies for the future,” Mr Chalmers said.

“We are up to the task.

“It’s a really big job and it’s an important time to be taking it on.”

Mr Chalmers, who today replaced Chris Bowen in the portfolio, pointed to weakness in the broader economy that the Coalition had “failed” to address, despite claiming during the election campaign to be the better fiscal managers.

“We need to get the economy working for the people, not against them.

“We need to modernise this economy to create more and better paid jobs … and reclaim our place as the party of aspiration for the outer suburbs.”

Mr Chalmers said as Opposition Treasury spokesman, he would be painting Labor’s positive economic vision, while pointing out how the government had failed the Australian people through stagnant wages and low growth.

“We are spoiling for a fight on the economy,” he said.

His predecessor Mr Bowen has taken over as Shadow Minister for Health.

Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers arrives at a press conference in South Bank, Brisbane, on Sunday.

Christine Kellett 2pm: Dutton ridicules Keneally appointment

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has ridiculed Labor Senator Kristina Keneally’s appointment as Shadow Home Affairs spokeswoman on Anthony Albanese’s new frontbench, calling her unfit for the role based on comments she’s previously made on border protection.

“It’s pretty much a hospital pass,” Mr Dutton said at a press conference today.

“Kristina Keneally is against Operation Sovereign Borders. She’s opposed to turnbacks … she’s opposed to offshore regional processing.

“Kristina Keneally really needs to come out and have a mea culpa at some point.

“There couldn’t be anybody less qualified on border protection in the Labor Party than Kristina Keneally.

“Mr Albanese must have a great sense of humour.

“I think he’s made a few strange picks here and he’s going to get caught out.”

Ms Keneally has been strident in her criticism of Australia’s immigration detention system in the past, calling the consequences “disastrous”.

Mr Dutton welcomed Anthony Albanese’s decision to finally create a home affairs shadow ministry, but described it as a “hospital pass” for Senator Keneally.

Within hours of Kristina Keneally’s appointment as shadow home affairs spokeswoman, Minister Peter Dutton has called her unqualified for the role.

Rosie Lewis 2pm: The full list

Richard Marles: Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Defence

Senator Penny Wong: Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

Senator Kristina Keneally: Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Tony Burke: Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Shadow Minister for the Arts, Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives

Bill Shorten: Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Shadow Minister for Government Services

Tanya Plibersek: Shadow Minister for Education and Training

Dr Jim Chalmers: Shadow Treasurer

Mark Butler: Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives

Chris Bowen: Shadow Minister for Health

Catherine King: Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development

Joel Fitzgibbon: Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources

Senator Don Farrell: Shadow Special Minister of State, Shadow Minister for Sport, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition

Mark Dreyfus QC: Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Constitutional Reform

Michelle Rowland: Shadow Minister for Communications

Senator Katy Gallagher: Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Minister for the Public Service, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate

Linda Burney: Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians

Julie Collins: Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors, Shadow Minister for Women

Brendan O’Connor: Shadow Minister for Employment and Industry, Shadow Minister for Science, Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business

Jason Clare: Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness

Amanda Rishworth: Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Shadow Minister for Youth

Terri Butler: Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water

Madeleine King: Shadow Minister for Trade

Rosie Lewis 1.45pm: Shorten ‘honoured’ to be on frontbench

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten said he was “honoured” by his appointment to the NDIS portfolio and would “give everything I have to making this great Labor initiative a reality for those who rely on it”.

“I’m very pleased to have been appointed shadow minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and shadow minister for government services in Labor’s shadow cabinet. I thank Albo for giving me these responsibilities,” he said.

“Working with people with disability, their carers and their families to create the National Disability Insurance Scheme was my first job in politics and remains one of the great privileges of my life.”

“The NDIS ought to be an expression of our national character. It should stand for the principle that every Australian has an equal right to be respected in our society and empowered in our economy.”

I’m very pleased to have been appointed Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Shadow Minister...

Posted by Bill Shorten MP on Saturday, 1 June 2019

Rosie Lewis 1.35pm: Albanese names chief attack dog

NSW MP Tony Burke becomes Labor’s industrial relations spokesman, keeps the arts portfolio and will be the party’s chief attack dog in the lower house as manager of opposition business.

Brendan O’Connor, from Victoria, keeps employment but switches workplace relations for industry, while adding science and small and family business.

South Australian MP Amanda Rishworth retains early childhood education but takes on the youth portfolio, while fellow South Australian Senator Farrell remains shadow special minister of state and opposition sport spokesman.

He adds tourism and shadow minister assisting the Leader of the Opposition to his role after stepping down as deputy Senate leader for Senator Keneally.

Jason Clare, from NSW, has an entirely new portfolio as regional services, territories and local government spokesman and picking up the housing and homelessness portfolio.

“They are all there on merit,” Mr Albanese said.

“Twelve men and 12 women reflecting the balance in Australian society. All there on merit and I am very pleased that we have been able to achieve that balance when it comes to the leadership of two men and two women and the shadow cabinet team of 12 men and 12 women.

“It is a challenge for us returning to government, but I think this team is a major step forward in that.”

Mr Albanese boasted the makeup of his shadow cabinet, outer shadow ministry and assistant shadow ministers had not leaked.

“I consulted every single person who is on this list and many who are not. I treated them with respect and they engaged respectfully with me and I thank them for that and I think it augers well for the collegiate and unified nature of Labor market going forward that unity we will need, that unity we achieve over the last fortnight,” he said.

“It is only two weeks since we suffered a loss that disappointed so many people. But this team will be determined to ensure that the next time we are making an announcement it will not be an announcement after an election loss, it will be one after an election victory, a precondition of that is unity. We have achieved that and we will, I am sure, achieve it going forward as well.”

.@AlboMP: We have an outstanding team being put forward here. @billshortenmp will hold the government to account and make sure it is the people with disabilities who are at the centre of attention for the NDIS.

MORE: https://t.co/qeyshgjkfh #weekendlive pic.twitter.com/3to5BARLg9

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 2, 2019

Rosie Lewis 1.17pm: Burnie takes on indigenous Australians portfolio

NSW Labor MP Michelle Rowland keeps the communications portfolio, while her fellow NSW colleague Linda Burney will remain as families and social services spokeswoman but swap the preventing family violence portfolio with indigenous Australians.

Labor’s legal affairs spokesman will again be Mark Dreyfus, who will also focus on constitutional reform, and Ms Collins keeps the ageing portfolio.

.@AlboMP: There will be 12 men and 12 women sitting around the shadow cabinet table. They are all there on merit. It’s a challenge for us returning to government, but I think this team is a major step forward in that.

MORE: https://t.co/qeyshgjkfh #weekendlive pic.twitter.com/iqxv7yjBO0

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 2, 2019

Rosie Lewis 1.10pm: Plibersek, Wong remain

A number of senior Labor MPs will remain in their previous portfolios.

Tanya Plibersek, from the NSW Left, remains Labor’s education and training spokeswoman but loses the women portfolio to Julie Collins.

Richard Marles, the new deputy leader and a Victorian MP, and Penny Wong, Labor’s Senate leader and a South Australian, remain in defence and foreign affairs.

Fellow South Australian Mark Butler keeps climate change and energy and picks up deputy manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives, while regional NSW MP Joel Fitzgibbon retains agriculture and adds resources to his title.

Rosie Lewis 1.05pm: Bowen shifted out of Treasury portfolio

The Opposition leader said he had “respectful discussions” with his predecessor Mr Shorten and the entire team about their portfolios.

Chris Bowen has shifted from the coveted treasury portfolio to health, which Catherine King had wanted to keep.

Ms King becomes Labor’s infrastructure, transport and regional development spokeswoman — taking on Mr Albanese’s former portfolios.

“Chris Bowen is quite pleased to have his portfolio, as is Bill Shorten,” Mr Albanese said.

“This is the right job for Bill Shorten. He looks forward to it with enthusiasm and he will do the job well. He is an important part of our team.”

The new shadow cabinet consists of 12 women and 12 men, with NSW Labor senator Jenny McAllister serving as shadow cabinet secretary. She missed out on a shadow cabinet role but is now a shadow assistant minister.

.@AlboMP: @RichardMarlesMP will be Shadow Minister for Defence. @SenatorWong will be Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs. I want to particularly look towards the economic team that will be led by @JEChalmers.

MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #weekendlive pic.twitter.com/TDYaScN2d5

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 2, 2019

Rosie Lewis 1pm: New faces in shadow cabinet

There will be four new faces in the shadow cabinet, including Senator Keneally, who was made deputy Senate leader and promoted to the frontbench after colleagues Don Farrell and Ed Husic stepped aside.

Labor senator-elect Katy Gallagher will be promoted to shadow cabinet as finance and public service spokeswoman, Queensland Labor MP Terri Butler also enters shadow cabinet as environment and water spokeswoman and Western Australian Labor MP Madeleine King was given a “major promotion” to become trade spokeswoman.

.@AlboMP: There will be four new members of my shadow cabinet.

MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #weekendlive pic.twitter.com/gv1vGlLNKE

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 2, 2019

Rosie Lewis 12.55pm: Keneally to take fight to Dutton

Former NSW premier and Labor senator Kristina Keneally will take on Peter Dutton as the Opposition Home Affairs spokesman and Bill Shorten has been handed the National Disability Insurance Scheme portfolio in Anthony Albanese’s new look shadow ministry.

Christine Kellett 11.20am: Joyce, Campion welcome second baby

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion have reportedly welcomed their second child in 14 months.

Ms Campion, Mr Joyce’s former staffer, gave birth to a boy named Tom on Saturday night, The Sunday Telegraph reports.

The baby is named after Mr Joyce’s grandfather, Thomas.

Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion, with eldest son Sebastian, back in October. Source: Channel 9

The couple also have a son, Sebastian, who was born last April, just months after Mr Joyce resigned as deputy prime minister when news of his extramarital affair with Ms Campion broke.

Tom is the sixth child for Mr Joyce, 52. He also has four daughters with ex-wife Natalie.

Exclusive: Barna-baby #2. Congratulations to Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion as they welcome their second baby in 14 months! ⁦@dailytelegraph⁩ https://t.co/XLFzutF6fX

— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) June 2, 2019

11am: Tax cuts buoy economic headwinds: Cormann

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says the Coalition’s proposed tax cuts are needed because of possible economic headwinds down the track.

The first part of the government’s plan is geared toward low and middle-income earners, while the second and third stages aim to flatten the tax structure in 2022 and 2024.

Labor supports the first part of the plan and is considering the rest, but leader Anthony Albanese is cautious as economicconditions five years into the future are unknown.

But Senator Cormann says the Coalition will focus on building a strong economy and tax cuts will prevent Australians from “going backwards”. “It is precisely because of the global economic headwinds that we may face from time to time that we needto ensure we are in the strongest position domestically,” he told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.

“That is why we need to ensure that we do provide income tax relief.” Senator Cormann has also remained adamant that the tax package won’t be split up, describing it as a holistic plan.

“We want to ensure that all Australians have the best possible incentive to get ahead, to be the best they can be, so the economy as a whole lifts which is important in particular for low and middle income Australians.”

AAP

10.45am: Nationals MPs push for nuclear inquiry

A group of Queensland Coalition MPs reportedly want parliament to consider the feasibility of nuclear power in Australia.

The energy source is banned as a source of power but several Nationals MPs will put forward a motion in the Senate to createa committee to investigate using nuclear power in the energy mix.

Queensland Nationals MP Keith Pitt and his Senate colleague James McGrath are behind the push, The Sunday Telegraph reports.

“I am not saying that there is a nuclear reactor coming to a shopping centre near you but we have to be able to investigateall options,” Mr Pitt told the newspaper.

“All I am calling for is an inquiry as to whether it’s a feasible option to ensure we are up to date with the latest information.” The MP says nuclear energy has helped to reduce carbon emissions and power prices in Europe, while also being a reliable source of power. “If you want to have your cake and eat it to you have to look at every option,” he said.

During the federal election campaign Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had no plans to reverse the ban on nuclear energy, after earlier saying he’d be open to it if the sector paid its own way.

AAP

Alice Workman 10.15am: Neumann breaks ranks on Adani

Labor frontbencher Shayne Neumann says he would be happy for more coal mining, including the $2 billion Adani Carmichael coalmine, to take place in Queensland if it generates jobs.

Mr Neumann said the Adani coal mine will be a “good” thing for Queensland and said Labor must be supportive of the mining industry in Queensland if the party wants to win the next election.

“I’m happy for more mining generally to take place, can I just say in Queensland,” Mr Neumann said.

Read the full story here.

.@ShayneNeumannMP on the Adani coal mine: If jobs arrive from this, Adani's proposals stack up, and if the environmental concerns are addressed by the Queensland government then, of course, it's a good thing.

MORE: https://t.co/0Zbomb9AvV #SpeersOnSunday pic.twitter.com/NCiJKgETZV

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 1, 2019

Christine Kellett 7.45am: I had no Plan B: Abbott

The former member for Warringah, Tony Abbott, is contemplating his future after politics and appears to have ruled out a diplomatic post.

Mr Abbott, who served on the backbench after being ousted as prime minister in 2015, lost the seat he held for 25 years in last month’s federal election, replaced by former Olympic skier and barrister Zali Steggall.

In an interview with Nine Newspapers, Mr Abbott appeared to rule out a plum foreign posting, saying: “No interest. I don’t really do diplomacy.”

He said he had “no Plan B” after losing Warringah and confessed he didn’t know what he would do next.

“The only thing I know for certain is that I would like to resume my role as deputy captain of the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade,” Mr Abbott was quoted as saying.

Tony Abbott was harassed by climate protesters while out and about in Sydney last month. Picture: 7 News

7.30am: Albanese to announce frontbench team

New Labor leader Anthony Albanese will announce his frontbench team on Sunday before heading out on a “listening tour” and examining where the party went wrong after its disappointing May 18 election result.

Mr Albanese announced Labor’s new leadership team and ministry team last week but he has yet allocate their portfolios.

It is expected the shadow cabinet and outer shadow ministry portfolios will largely mirror Scott Morrison’s line-up sworn in by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove last Wednesday.

The opposition will face heavy criticism from the coalition if a home affairs spokesperson is not added to the Labor line-up- something it lacked in the past term. Former leader Bill Shorten has been guaranteed a spot in the 20-member shadow cabinet and is reportedly interested in the health and disabilities portfolios.

Queensland MP Jim Chalmers is widely expected to take over the role of shadow treasurer from Chris Bowen.

There is speculation Mr Chalmers’ Queensland colleague Shayne Neumann could be moved from immigration into resources.

Podcast: What to expect from ScoMo v Albo

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Labor secured only six Queensland seats at the election compared to the Liberal National Party’s 23.

Beyond the shadow cabinet there will be 10 outer shadow ministry positions. The Labor caucus has already elected Victorian MP Richard Marles as deputy leader and made senators Penny Wong and Kristina Keneally the leadership team in the Senate.

The shadow cabinet will meet in Brisbane on Tuesday, as Mr Albanese and colleagues engage in a post-election “listening tour” of the country. Victorian Labor MP for Scullin Andrew Gilles, who was named in Mr Albanese’s shadow ministry, says it is too early to talk about a change of direction for the party after its unexpected election loss two weeks ago.

“Our job across the Labor team is to really take stock on how we let Labor supporters and people who depend on Labor governmentsdown,” Mr Giles told ABC television on Saturday.

“Our challenge … is to get better at listening rather than reaching conclusions too quickly.” Latest vote counting on the Australian Electoral Commission website shows Labor could end up with 68 seats of the 151-seat House of Representatives, compared to the coalition with as many as 77 seats.

There are six crossbenchers.

AAP

Simon Benson 7am: Albo faced pressure over Home Affairs portfolio

Anthony Albanese was under internal pressure to appoint a home affairs spokesman as right-wing Labor MPs argue the opposition needs a stronger posture on national security and border control.

T he Weekend Australian yesterday revealed the new Labor leader is considering the move, with the Right faction pushing for deputy leader and former opposition defence spokesman Richard Marles to take the role.

Mr Albanese will announce his shadow ministry tomorrow ahead of the resumption of federal parliament on July 2, which was confirmed with the release of a sitting calendar on Friday. Labor had previously resisted calls for it to create a shadow home affairs portfolio despite the Department of Home Affairs operating since December 2017.

There is also a move among supporters of Kristina Keneally for her to take the role despite opposition from members of her own NSW Right faction, who claim that role needs a senior MP who has served in related portfolios.

The sticking point, according to a senior Labor source, is that Mr Albanese inherited a commitment written into the Labor platform to review the home affairs structure created by the Coalition under Peter Dutton and loosely based on the British model.

Former opposition leader Bill Shorten told The Australian last year that if elected he intended to keep the super department, which has policy function for national security, critical infrastructure, counter-terrorism, cyber security as well as immigration and border protection. Security and intelligence agencies including ASIO, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force fall under the home affairs portfolio.

However, some in the Labor Left had hoped to dismantle it under a Labor government and return ASIO to the Department of Attorney-General.

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus will carry an additional title of opposition national security spokesman. It is understood he was agitating for home affairs to be dismantled if they won office and for ASIO to return to the Attorney-General’s portfolio.

It is likely Mr Marles will become home affairs spokesman with his national security title abolished, in a move that would neutralise government attacks on Labor, which was amplified following the interception of a Sri Lankan vessel near Christmas Island.

Colleagues of Mr Marles claimed he would resist any moves to separate ASIO out of the Home Affairs Department.