In a big start to the week in Canberra, very few roles have changed in the leadership of the new Government or the Nationals, with the Liberals and Greens still sorting out their new leaders.
The prime minister unveiled his new front bench on Monday following Labor’s landslide win at the May 3 election.
Mr Albanese labelled the environment as a significant policy area to his reform agenda, as conservation groups push for nature protection laws. Former agriculture minister Murray Watt will move to the environment portfolio from employment and workplace relations, replacing Tanya Plibersek, a move welcomed by the mining industry and Business Council.
Plibersek will move to the massive and troubled Social Services portfolio to sort that out, while Mark Butler continues in health with the added responsibility of health, a move criticised by health advocates.
Local Senator Tim Ayers has received the Industry and Science portfolio previously held by the dumped Ed Husic, Michelle Roland has moved to Attorney General, and Annika Wells is taking over the crucial portfolio of Communications, as well as sport.
Jason Clare continues in Education, Catherine King continues in Infrastructure and Regional Development, Chris Bowen continues in Climate Change and Energy.
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed an unchanged line up in ag – Julie Collins returning as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Anthony Chisholm continuing as Assistant Minister, and Don Farrell on retaining the trade portfolio.
“We need strong leadership to tackle the big issues facing farmers, and that work must start now,” Mr Jochinke said.
“We’re calling on the Prime Minister and Minister Collins to visit drought-hit regions within the Government’s first 30 days. Farmers are doing it tough and they need to see leadership on the ground.
Meanwhile the Nationals, who spill their leadership after every election, re-elected David Littleproud and backed Kevin Hogan as deputy leader, replacing Senator Perin Davey who lost her seat at the election. Queensland senator Matt Canavan failed to garner sufficient support to claim the leadership after positioning himself as “an agent of change” and urging the coalition to dump its net zero commitment. Bridget McKenzie will continue as Senate leader.
The Nationals had one less person in their party room meeting after Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price moved to the Liberal party room, personal ambition driving the change that will see her un on a joint ticket with Angus Taylor for the leadership in today’s vote. They are up against Sussan Ley – with a possible last minute pitch from Tim Wilson, who unexpectedly won back his seat of Goldstein stolen in the last election by Teal Independent Zoe Daniel, ruled out on Monday afternoon.
Both the Liberals and Greens are forced to find a new leader after Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt lost their seats. SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and NSW senator Mehreen Faruqi, who is currently serving as the Greens deputy leader, are the current contenders for the Greens Leadership which will be resolved on Friday.
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