Several new ministers have been promoted as part of the Albanese government’s reshuffle on Sunday, but WA representatives were largely ignored.
Several new ministers have been promoted as part of the Albanese government’s reshuffle on Sunday, but WA representatives were largely ignored.
The reshuffle was triggered by Thursday’s resignation of Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor.
Member for Perth Patrick Gorman picked up a third assistant ministry – assistant minister to the attorney general, while Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson was named assistant minister for climate change and energy.
They were the only two WA representatives to receive a promotion, leaving Minister for Resources Madeleine King as the only cabinet minister from WA.
When asked how he justifies having just one WA Minister in Cabinet, Mr Albanese said, "We've just promoted additional WA representation on our frontbench today."
He did not comment further.
Taking the Minister for Indigenous Australians portfolio from the retiring Linda Burney was Malarndirri McCarthy – who becomes the second Indigenous woman to hold the post.
Andrew Giles lost his Immigration portfolio.
He picked up the Skills and Training portfolio, but also saw it dropped from cabinet in the reshuffle.
That made way for Pat Conroy to move into cabinet with his retained Defence Industry and International Development ministries.
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley criticised the changes and the dropping of skills portfolio from cabinet.
“Anthony Albanese has had to change half his team… that’s a huge concession the government’s failing to deliver,” she told ABC radio.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied moving his home affairs and immigration ministers equated to a political scalping as the opposition claimed they were dumped for incompetence.
Filling cabinet spots had "a knock-on effect," he said.
Senior ministers also came to the defence of Ms O'Neil, saying the shuffle wasn't an admission of failure.
"Not at all, what we're doing is with Clare O'Neil moving to housing after the good work she's done in cyber security," cabinet minister Bill Shorten told Seven's Sunrise.
"She's now going to be our lead spokesperson on housing. Clare will be great in that gig."
Kate Thwaites and Julian Hill have been promoted to the assistant ministry and three special envoys have also been appointed.
The new Ministers were sworn in this morning.
