Labor ministry swearing-in makes work of government look like child’s play

Labor’s new ministers rolled into Government House fresh from an electoral landslide with their families in tow. Toddlers scrambled out of comcars one at a time. They were shepherded inside – some more willingly than others – for their parents to be congratulated by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who held her first swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s pick and just the second woman to perform the role.

It put a family-friendly and feminist stamp on the Albanese government’s second term.

Minister for Communications and Sport Anika Wells’ son with a footy at Government House on Tuesday morning.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

When Communication and Sports Minister Anika Wells’ son almost kicked a stray football into the room as Albanese called up his ministers, the prime minister jokingly instructed him to kick the other way. Then Mostyn invited him and his siblings to step inside and watch.

Anika Wells and her children watch the proceedings.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The warmth disguised the factional bloodletting that dominated the lead-up to Tuesday’s ceremony and threatened to cast a shadow over Labor’s landslide win. The dumping of former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and former industry minister Ed Husic was seen as particularly brutal.

As his former cabinet colleagues and their families got ready for their moment the night before, Husic was appearing on the ABC’s Q&A. A day after describing Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles as a “factional assassin”, the demoted member of the NSW Right said the factional operations in the past week would “repel people from the party”.

The front row for the frontbench: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, deputy Richard Marles, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

“At the start of what was a great win, I don’t think we should have had this distraction,” he said.

“I feel particularly strongly about what happened with Mark [Dreyfus]. Mark has been a big contributor. He should have been given dignity … there should have been class extended to him. I feel bad. A lot of other people feel that way.”

But Labor on Tuesday put on a show of moving forward. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Albanese’s partner Jodie Haydon, in red suits in the front row, wore a reminder of the colour that now dominates electoral maps in the cities.

Sitting beside Wong was Marles, who was the first to take his oath in front of fresh faces, including the Right faction’s Sam Rae and Daniel Mulino, for whom Dreyfus and Husic’s demotions had cleared way.

Minister for Aged Care Sam Rae was among the first to arrive. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Rae was one of the earliest to arrive, surrounded by his three young children who had followed from Melbourne. The typically private Wong brought along her daughters.

Health and Disability Minister Mark Butler, who takes on an expanded role after spending the campaign by Albanese’s side, strode in with his son in one arm and a giraffe-patterned backpack in the other.

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil and new assistant minister Nita Green also carried children on their hips as ministers mingled.

Credit: Matt Golding

The “little ones” were invited to play in a break-out room by Government House staff, and their parents were jokingly offered to use it if they needed a break too.

But they remained in their seats as the members of Labor’s ministry made their affirmations, despite the occasional cries that could be heard from outside.

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