The Federal Opposition Leader, Simon Crean, has promoted Mark Latham into the Shadow Cabinet, in a minor reshuffle, following the resignation from Parliament of Stephen Martin, the former Shadow Minister for Trade.
The reshuffle gives Latham responsibility for a new post called Community Security, in addition to his existing portfolio of Economic Ownership, Housing and Urban Development.
The reshuffle brings Annette Ellis, the member for Canberra, into the shadow ministry as spokesperson for Ageing and Seniors. Senator Michael Forshaw becomes a Parliamentary Secretary.
Martin, the former member for Cunningham, was a member of the NSW Right faction. The replacements in the Shadow Ministry reflect that factional allegiance.
Text of the statement released by Simon Crean, announcing the new Shadow Ministry:
I have today taken the opportunity of the vacancy in the Shadow Ministry to give greater strength to the policy areas Labor has identified as priorities for all Australians.
I have promoted Mark Latham to Shadow Cabinet, and added to his portfolio responsibilities of Economic Ownership, Housing and Urban Development the additional responsibility for Community Security.
This new portfolio builds on the work Mark has done in developing policies to give all Australians the opportunity to get ahead, own their own home and achieve financial security with additional responsibility for community safety.
Mark will now be in charge of Labor’s plan to bring national leadership in the fight to protect our communities against crime through policies such as Labor’s Community Safety Zones. Labor believes community security extends to protecting our borders and Mark will also be given responsibility for Labor’s Coastguard policy.
I am also delighted to announce the appointment of Annette Ellis as Labor’s new Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors, and Minister Assisting on Disabilities.
Annette’s portfolio recognises her devotion to helping people with disabilities and her desire to work in the area of social policy.
The link between trade, industry and innovation is vital to Australia’s future economic development, and I have today also taken the opportunity to further highlight this policy priority for Labor by giving Dr Craig Emerson specific responsibility for Trade, in addition to his existing responsibilities for industry and innovation.
Other changes I am announcing today will strengthen Labor’s representation in a number of other key areas of concern to all Australians.
Another policy priority for Labor is improving the job prospects of unemployed Australians through better job skills and training and Anthony Albanese will now take a key role in this area as Shadow Minister for Employment Services and Training.
Economist David Cox, former senior private secretary to Finance Minister Peter Walsh in the 1980s and principal advisor to Treasurer Ralph Willis in the 1990s will be using his economic and financial skills as Labor’s Assistant Treasury spokesman.
Labor sees regional development as a vital part of our nation’s future and Tourism’s key role in the regions will be highlighted by the move of Tourism to the Regional Development Portfolio. Specific responsibility for Tourism will now be taken up by Gavan O’Connor in addition to his duties as Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government.
I am also delighted to announce the promotion of Senator Michael Forshaw to the position of Parliamentary Secretary for Family and Community Services, the role previously held by Annette Ellis.
The changes I have announced today further highlight Labor’s priorities and reflect my determination to develop policies that meet the needs of all Australians.
This is the full list of the new ALP Shadow Ministry:
- Albanese, Anthony – Member for Grayndler
Shadow Minister for Employment Services and Training- Bishop, Mark – Senator for Western Australia
Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs- Carr, Kim – Senator for Victoria
Shadow Minister for Science and Research- Conroy, Stephen – Senator for Victoria
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Shadow Minister for Finance, Small Business and Financial Services- Cox, David – Member for Kingston
Shadow Assistant Treasurer- Ellis, Annette – Member for Canberra
Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors
Shadow Minister Assisting on Disabilities- Emerson, Craig – Member for Rankin
Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Trade- Evans, Chris – Senator for Western Australia
Shadow Minister for Defence- Faulkner, John – Senator for New South Wales
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Shadow Minister for Public Administration and Home Affairs- Ferguson, Laurie – Member for Reid
Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs- Ferguson, Martin – Member for Batman
Shadow Minister for Regional and Urban Development, Transport and Infrastructure- Fitzgibbon, Joel – Member for Hunter
Shadow Minister for Resources- Gillard, Julia – Member for Lalor
Shadow Minister for Population and Immigration- Latham, Mark – Member for Werriwa
Shadow Minister for Economic Ownership and Community Security
Shadow Minister for Urban Development and Housing- Lawrence, Carmen – Member for Fremantle
Shadow Minister for Reconciliation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Shadow Minister for the Arts
Shadow Minister for Status of Women- Lundy, Kate – Senator for Australian Capital Territory
Shadow Minister for Information Technology
Shadow Minister for Sport- Macklin, Jennifer (Jenny) – Member for Jagajaga
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Science- McClelland, Robert – Member for Barton
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations- McMullan, Bob – Member for Fraser
Shadow Treasurer- Melham, Daryl – Member for Banks
Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs- O’Brien, Kerry – Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Resources
Opposition Whip- O’Connor, Gavan – Member for Corio
Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government
Shadow Minister for Tourism- Roxon, Nicola – Member for Gellibrand
Shadow Minister for Children and Youth- Rudd, Kevin – Member for Griffith
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs- Sherry, Nick – Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Minister for Retirement Incomes and Savings
Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs- Smith, Stephen – Member for Perth
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing- Swan, Wayne – Member for Lilley
Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives- Tanner, Lindsay – Member for Melbourne
Shadow Minister for Communications- Thomson, Kelvin – Member for Wills
Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage
