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
- Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry – Statistical Analysis (Revised) September 13, 2016
- Shorten Announces Minor Changes To Shadow Ministry; O’Neill Promoted September 13, 2016
- Dastyari Resigns From ALP Frontbench September 7, 2016
- ALP Shadow Ministry 2016 – Statistical Analysis July 23, 2016
- Shorten Announces ALP Shadow Ministry Portfolio Allocations July 23, 2016
- ALP Caucus Elects Expanded Shadow Ministry Of 32; Carr Survives July 22, 2016
- Minor Changes To Opposition Shadow Ministry; Dodson Promoted To Executive In First Week As A Senator May 4, 2016
- The Ages Of The Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry April 11, 2016
- Minor Changes To ALP Shadow Ministry; Parke Gone, Jones And MacTiernan Promoted March 4, 2014
- Bill Shorten’s ALP Shadow Ministry – Full List October 18, 2013
- Plibersek New ALP Deputy Leader; Wong And Conroy Take Senate Positions; Shadow Ministry Elected October 14, 2013
- Tony Abbott’s Revised Coalition Shadow Ministry September 19, 2012
- Malcolm Turnbull’s Shadow Ministry September 22, 2008
- Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry December 6, 2007
- Coalition Shadow Ministry From December 6, 2007 December 6, 2007
- Mark Latham Announces His New Shadow Ministry October 26, 2004
- Latham Announces New Shadow Ministry December 8, 2003
- Mark Latham’s Shadow Ministry December 8, 2003
- Crean Reshuffles Shadow Ministry After Defeating Beazley Challenge July 2, 2003
- Latham Promoted In Crean’s Shadow Ministry August 23, 2002
- Simon Crean’s New ALP Shadow Ministry August 23, 2002
- Beazley ALP Shadow Ministry 2001 February 27, 2001
- Kim Beazley’s ALP Shadow Ministry 1996 March 19, 1996
Opposition – Archived Posts
- Minor Changes To Opposition Shadow Ministry; Dodson Promoted To Executive In First Week As A Senator May 4, 2016
- Shorten And Albanese In Show Of Unity Following ALP Leadership Election October 13, 2013
- Queensland ALP Announces Six-Member Shadow Cabinet April 19, 2012
- Who Says Abbott Should Flick The Switch To Positive? December 12, 2011
- Is It Time For The Liberals To Dispose Of Abbott? October 21, 2010
- Nelson Promises Reduction In Petrol Excise In Budget Reply Speech May 15, 2008
- Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry December 6, 2007
- Coalition Shadow Ministry From December 6, 2007 December 6, 2007
- Brendan Nelson Elected Liberal Party Leader In Close Vote November 29, 2007
- Howard In Davos For WEF; Comments on Habib, Beazley January 28, 2005
- Mark Latham’s Shadow Ministry December 8, 2003
- Beattie Provides Support To Depleted Opposition April 28, 2003
- The Opposition Leader As A Factor Influencing Voting Behaviour December 5, 2001
- Beazley ALP Shadow Ministry 2001 February 27, 2001
- Kim Beazley’s ALP Shadow Ministry 1996 March 19, 1996
