A healthy and vibrant Opposition is regarded as essential in a parliamentary system of government.
Definition of Opposition: The party or parties which hold the second largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. The leader of that party or coalition of parties is known as the Opposition Leader and is the nation’s alternative Prime Minister.
A strong Opposition is able to question the government and hold it to account for its actions.
The Opposition is able to provide both alternative policies and an alternative government and Prime Minister.
The Opposition’s spokespeople are known as Shadow Ministers.
- Opposition Leaders since 1901 – Chronological List
- Opposition Leaders since 1901 – By Term of Office
Shadow Ministries – Archived Posts
- Sep 13, 2016: Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry – Statistical Analysis (Revised)
- Sep 13, 2016: Shorten Announces Minor Changes To Shadow Ministry; O’Neill Promoted
- Sep 07, 2016: Dastyari Resigns From ALP Frontbench
- Jul 23, 2016: ALP Shadow Ministry 2016 – Statistical Analysis
- Jul 23, 2016: Shorten Announces ALP Shadow Ministry Portfolio Allocations
- Jul 22, 2016: ALP Caucus Elects Expanded Shadow Ministry Of 32; Carr Survives
- May 04, 2016: Minor Changes To Opposition Shadow Ministry; Dodson Promoted To Executive In First Week As A Senator
- Apr 11, 2016: The Ages Of The Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry
- Mar 04, 2014: Minor Changes To ALP Shadow Ministry; Parke Gone, Jones And MacTiernan Promoted
- Oct 18, 2013: Bill Shorten’s ALP Shadow Ministry – Full List
- Oct 14, 2013: Plibersek New ALP Deputy Leader; Wong And Conroy Take Senate Positions; Shadow Ministry Elected
- Sep 19, 2012: Tony Abbott’s Revised Coalition Shadow Ministry
- Sep 22, 2008: Malcolm Turnbull’s Shadow Ministry
- Dec 06, 2007: Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry
- Dec 06, 2007: Coalition Shadow Ministry From December 6, 2007
- Oct 26, 2004: Mark Latham Announces His New Shadow Ministry
- Dec 08, 2003: Latham Announces New Shadow Ministry
- Dec 08, 2003: Mark Latham’s Shadow Ministry
- Jul 02, 2003: Crean Reshuffles Shadow Ministry After Defeating Beazley Challenge
- Aug 23, 2002: Latham Promoted In Crean’s Shadow Ministry
- Aug 23, 2002: Simon Crean’s New ALP Shadow Ministry
- Feb 27, 2001: Beazley ALP Shadow Ministry 2001
- Mar 19, 1996: Kim Beazley’s ALP Shadow Ministry 1996
Opposition – Archived Posts
- May 04, 2016: Minor Changes To Opposition Shadow Ministry; Dodson Promoted To Executive In First Week As A Senator
- Oct 13, 2013: Shorten And Albanese In Show Of Unity Following ALP Leadership Election
- Apr 19, 2012: Queensland ALP Announces Six-Member Shadow Cabinet
- Dec 12, 2011: Who Says Abbott Should Flick The Switch To Positive?
- Oct 21, 2010: Is It Time For The Liberals To Dispose Of Abbott?
- May 15, 2008: Nelson Promises Reduction In Petrol Excise In Budget Reply Speech
- Dec 06, 2007: Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry
- Dec 06, 2007: Coalition Shadow Ministry From December 6, 2007
- Nov 29, 2007: Brendan Nelson Elected Liberal Party Leader In Close Vote
- Jan 28, 2005: Howard In Davos For WEF; Comments on Habib, Beazley
- Dec 08, 2003: Mark Latham’s Shadow Ministry
- Apr 28, 2003: Beattie Provides Support To Depleted Opposition
- Dec 05, 2001: The Opposition Leader As A Factor Influencing Voting Behaviour
- Feb 27, 2001: Beazley ALP Shadow Ministry 2001
- Mar 19, 1996: Kim Beazley’s ALP Shadow Ministry 1996
