Labor reshuffles team, says it’s ready for an election

Labor leader Rebecca White has arranged her team ahead of the election expected in the next year. RESHUFFLE EXPLAINED >>

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LABOR has unveiled a minor reshuffle to shadow cabinet — promoting newcomer Bastian Seidel to the health portfolio as part of a pre-election refresh.

Dr Seidel is a general practitioner who was elected as the Legislative Council member for Huon last August.

Fellow MLC Sarah Lovell will take over the role of leader of Opposition Business in the Legislative Council and the portfolios of Child Safety from Josh Willie and Workplace Relations from Michelle O’Byrne.

All other positions are unchanged, responsibility for the former separate portfolios of ambulance services and mental health and substance abuse will be rolled in with health.

Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Party leader Rebecca White said this would be the team she led to the next election.

“I’m really confident in the capabilities of my members. We’ve got a diverse group; we’ve got teachers, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, former mayors, small business operators,” she said.

“We have got a depth of talent here that outshines the Liberal Party, they are hardworking, committed individuals and collectively our ambition is to make Tasmania a better and a fairer place.”

“I can confirm for Tasmanians that every person who’s currently representing them will be re-standing for their seat at the next election, which I think is probably something Peter Gutwein can’t confidently say.

“When I take a look at his team they are tired, there’s no doubt that some of those members have been there a very long time may be thinking about retirement.

“On the other hand, the Labor Party, my team will absolutely be committed to contesting the next election to be elected as a majority Labor government and the team that are present today is the team that we hope to take into government.”

New Shadow Minister for Health Bastian Seidel at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Dr Seidel said he was looking forward to taking on the responsibility of holding the government to account.

“It’s just fabulous to be in the health portfolio and I will fight for patients, I will fight for doctors, I will fight for nurses, ambulance workers, our health professionals for a better health system.

“Our health system has been gutted over years under this Liberal government and Tasmanians are worried, they are worried that if they do have an emergency that the ambulance might not reach them on time.

“They are worried that when they’re being diagnosed with, a health concern like cancer, potentially, that they can’t get in to see a hospital specialist in time.

“The waiting lists are outrageous. It’s 1,911 days to see a neurosurgeon. That’s over five years, just ridiculous.”

Ms Lovell said she too was looking forward to a new challenge.

“There’s never been a more critical time for Tasmanians to be really across what’s happening in child safety and child protection,” she said.

“We’ve got the Commission of Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse launching very soon.

“We’ve had recently the report on government services showing that this government is failing in child protection.

“Some of those indicators are quite horrific and in fact, there has been no improvement on any indicator.”

Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White after announcing new Shadow Minister for Health Bastian Seidel and Shadow Minister for child Safety and workplace relations Sarah Lovell at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

The new Labor line-up is:

Rebecca White MP, Labor Leader

Shadow Minister for Federal State Relations

Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment

Shadow Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events

Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

Michelle O’Byrne MP, Deputy Labor Leader.

Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Jobs and ICT,

Shadow Minister for TAFE University and Skills,

Shadow Minister for Women, Equality and Prevention of Family Violence

Shane Broad MP

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Water

Shadow Minister for Resources

Jen Butler MP

Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management

Shadow Minister for Building and Construction

Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs

Shadow Minister for Community Development

Shadow Minister for Arts and Creative Industries

Anita Dow MP

Shadow Minister for Local Government and Planning

Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Small Business

Shadow Minister for Transport

Shadow Minister for Manufacturing

Ella Haddad MP

Shadow Attorney-General

Shadow Minister for Justice

Shadow Minister for Corrections

Jennifer Houston MP

Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Sarah Lovell MLC

Leader of Opposition Business in the Legislative Council

Shadow Minister for Child Safety

Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations

David O’Byrne MP

Shadow Treasurer

Shadow Minister for Energy

Shadow Minister for Sport

Shadow Minister for Racing

Bastian Seidel MLC

Shadow Minister for Health

Jo Siejka MLC

Shadow Minister for Disability

Shadow Minister for Ageing

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs

Alison Standen MP

Shadow Minister for Housing

Shadow Minister for Climate Change

Shadow Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage

Josh Willie MLC

Shadow Minister Education and Early Years

Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs

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