Anthony Albanese faces a test of leadership over his blind loyalty to Left-faction ally Mark Butler.
Butler has clung on to the climate change and energy portfolio for seven years despite two election losses and the rejection of Labor’s ambitious policies to drive down emissions and turbocharge renewables.
Joel Fitzgibbon, who has clashed privately and publicly with Butler, on Thursday stated the opinions of colleagues who desperately want Albanese to inject new blood into the climate change portfolio.
They want a reset on Labor’s approach to climate and energy. The COVID-19 fallout has shifted public priorities to the economy and health. Creating jobs, protecting businesses and delivering the best health services are front of mind for Australian voters.
The Opposition Leader will shuffle shadow cabinet deckchairs in December, after Scott Morrison unveils his new ministerial line-up.
Moving Butler is not an easy option for Albanese. Butler is one of his closest advisers, a factional heavy and architect of his rise as federal Labor leader.
December’s reshuffle presents a clear opportunity to sharpen Labor’s focus on climate and energy policies that support Australia’s pandemic revival – driving down energy prices and emissions without compromising the nation’s economic reliance on iron ore, coal and the wider resources sector.
Albanese is not short of ministerial experience in shadow cabinet. Ahead of an election potentially being called in the second half of next year, this is his opportunity to get the right team in place and show disgruntled MPs he is willing to make the tough calls.
Sydney-based MP Ed Husic, shoe-horned into the resources and agriculture portfolio this week after Fitzgibbon’s resignation, will need to be shifted. Labor must win seats in regional Australia to have any chance at the next election and needs a regional voice.
While the Left-faction will resist, the climate change and energy portfolio should go to a right-winger. Chris Bowen, rehabilitating in the health portfolio after his negative gearing and franking credits policies were rejected by Australians, is an obvious option.
Labor can support net zero emissions by 2050 and renewables but they must adopt realistic climate targets, which won’t spook voters.
Brendan O’Connor, Bill Shorten, Michelle Rowland, Katy Gallagher and Amanda Rishworth are proven performers. Albanese needs to abandon factional pressures and put Labor’s best talent into key portfolios.
Labor’s internal divisions have been a gift to Morrison. The government doesn’t want Fitzgibbon to get his way. Butler staying put would be their preference.
The Coalition reshuffle – triggered by Mathias Cormann’s retirement – is expected to be minimalist, with some portfolio responsibilities absorbed by existing Ministers.
The key appointment will be the Trade, Investment and Tourism portfolio, with Michaelia Cash touted as a leading candidate. Ben Morton, a close adviser to Morrison, is likely to get a ministerial nod, continuing his work in the deregulation space.
Cormann’s departure has provided Morrison an opportunity to get his pre-election team in place, and focus the government’s ministerial portfolios on the COVID-19 economic recovery.
Labor can’t afford a similar conservative approach to its frontbench reshuffle. If Albanese chooses the cautious path, the infighting and sniping will continue at pace.
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