Winners and losers in Tasmanian Labor’s Cabinet reshuffle

UPDATED: Rebecca White maintains her leadership is secure after announcing a reshuffle of her shadow Cabinet ahead of Parliament resuming next month. See the full list of responsibilities.

REBECCA White maintains her leadership is secure after announcing a reshuffle within the Labor team that had almost every MHA and MLC handed a shadow ministry.

The changes saw newer faces handed responsibilities and deputy leader Michelle O’Byrne stripped of the education portfolio, which she has held since Labor lost government in 2014.

Elwick MLC and former teacher Josh Willie was announced as the Opposition’s education spokesman in her place.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF RESPONSIBILITIES BELOW

Ms O’Byrne retained her former responsibilities — including the deputy leader role — and picked up the newly created TAFE, university and skills portfolio.

Pembroke MLC Jo Siejka, who is in campaign mode ahead of an Upper House election in May, was handed responsibility for ageing and disability, her first shadow ministries.

Franklin MHA David O’Byrne lost local government to former Burnie mayor Anita Dow but kept the rest of his roles.

Labor leader Rebecca White says she remains secure in her leadership. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Franklin MHA Alison Standen, who was elected last year, was given responsibility for housing, climate change, environment, parks and heritage.

And newly elected Lyons MHA Jenna Butler picked up building and construction, consumer affairs, manufacturing and community development, with the latter portfolio previously held by Clark MHA Scott Bacon. Mr Bacon’s responsibilities were otherwise unchanged.

Bass MHA Jennifer Houston did not receive a portfolio due to a close relative’s illness.

Ms White said the reshuffle played on the strengths of her team.

“We are sharing responsibilities across the depth of talent in this team to make sure that we take advantage of the expertise that they have,” Ms White said.

But Treasurer Peter Gutwein accused Ms White of shoring up her position after a policy switch that saw the party step back from its election commitment to quarantine poker machines to casinos.

“Obviously policy development and positions within the Labor Party are quite frankly in turmoil, and what we see here by Ms White is a move to protect her leadership, to rearrange the deck chairs,” Mr Gutwein said on Thursday.

Asked if the reshuffle was about securing her leadership, Ms White said: “No.”

Asked if she felt secure in her leadership she said: “Yes”.

Ms White also did not elaborate on which policies were being re-examined by her party, which met for two days for the first of two caucus conferences for the year.

“The reallocation of portfolios, the opportunity for us to engage with industry advisory councils, working with our party, means that we can look at what policies are relevant for us to take forward to 2022,” Ms White said.

Michelle O’Byrne.

David O’Byrne.

THE NEW SHADOW CABINET:

Rebecca White

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

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

Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations

Scott Bacon

Shadow Treasurer

Shadow Minister for Racing and Gaming

Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Shane Broad

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Water

Shadow Minister for Resources

Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Jenna Butler

Shadow Minister for Building and Construction

Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs

Shadow Minister for Community Development

Shadow Minister for Manufacturing

Anita Dow

Shadow Minister for Local Government

Shadow Minister for Planning

Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Small Business

Craig Farrell

Leader of Opposition Business in the Legislative Council

Shadow Minister for Traffic and Public Transport

Shadow Minister for Veteran’s Affairs

Shadow Minister for Arts and Creative Industries

Ella Haddad

Shadow Attorney-General

Shadow Minister for Justice

Shadow Minister for Corrections

Sarah Lovell

Shadow Minister for Health

Shadow Minister for Ambulance Services

Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Substance Use

David O’Byrne

Leader of Opposition Business in House of Assembly

Shadow Minister for Roads and Infrastructure

Shadow Minister for Energy

Shadow Minister for Sport

Jo Siejka

Shadow Minister for Disability

Shadow Minister for Ageing

Alison Standen

Whip

Shadow Minister for Housing

Shadow Minister for Climate Change

Shadow Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage

Josh Willie

Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years

Shadow Minister for Child Safety

Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs