Julie Collins stays in ag but water and environment portfolio to change hands

The ministerial shake-up will see Tanya Plibersek moved from water and the environment.

The agriculture, forestry and fisheries portfolio will remain in the hands of Tasmanian MP Julie Collins, but a factional shake-up has seen responsibility for the crucial water and environment ministry shifted from Tanya Plibersek to Murray Watt.

Ms Collins said she would kick off the new electoral term developing a new national food strategy.

“My promise to Australia’s farmers and producers is that I will never stop listening and engaging with you, so I can be a true representative for you in the Albanese Labor Government,” she said.

Queensland Senator Anthony Chisholm has been reappointed as the portfolio’s assistant minister.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his new ministry in Canberra on Monday.

As previewed last week, Labor cabinet stalwarts Richard Marles, Penny Wong, Jim Chalmers, Katy Gallagher and Don Farrell will retain their existing portfolios.

Mr Marles will remain deputy prime minister and defence minister, Ms Wong in foreign affairs, Dr Chalmers as treasurer and Ms Gallagher as minister for finance, women, government services and public service. Mr Farrell will continue as trade, tourism and special minister for state, which will see him continue negotiations with the Europeans on a new trade deal.

Julie Collins will continue in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry portfolio Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The agriculture sector can expect some continuity in Ms Collins’ reappointment, but former agriculture minister, Murray Watt, will relinquish the workplace relations ministry that was handed to him in July last year to take on Ms Plibersek’s former water and environment portfolio.

The move is likely to be seen as a demotion for Ms Plibersek, who will take on the social services ministry, after Mr Albanese described the environment “as a really central portfolio”.

“It is the only one I have ever asked for in this building and I regard it as very much a senior role in a Labor Government. Murray will do it very well,” he said.

Labor was unable to secure the passage of long awaited for reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act, a promise it made at the 2022 election, which would create an Environment Protection Authority.

When quizzed on how Ms Plibersek received the news, the Prime Minister said “she was very positive about the portfolio”.

Chris Bowen will continue as climate change and energy minister, as will Ballarat MP Catherine King as infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government minister.

Amanda Rishworth will take over employment and workplace relations.

Queensland Senator Murray Watt is a proven performer and will shift to the crucial water and environment portfolio. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Mr Watt is seen as a proven negotiator, which could spell the end of Labor’s paralysis on a number of environmental issues including approvals for developments including Woodside’s North West Shelf project in WA.

The Queensland senator will oversee Labor’s implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan in full, including the purchase of 450GL from irrigators for the environment, and the Nature Repair Market.