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Minor Changes To Opposition Shadow Ministry; Dodson Promoted To Executive In First Week As A Senator

May 04, 2016

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has made a number of changes to his Shadow Ministry, including the promotion of just-appointed Senator Patrick Dodson

The changes are as a result of the parliamentary retirement of Gary Gray, (Brand-WA), who held the posts of Shadow Minister for Resources and Shadow Minister for Northern Australia.

The Resources portfolio goes to Jason Clare, (Blaxland-NSW). He will be assisted by new Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources, Jim Chalmers, (Rankin-Qld).

Shayne Neumann, (Blair-Qld), becomes Shadow Minister for Northern Australia.

The new Shadow Minister for Regional Communications will be Stephen Jones, (Throsby-NSW).

Senator Dodson (WA) becomes Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader. He took up his Senate seat three days ago. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Opposition, Shadow Ministries Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Ages Of The Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry

Apr 11, 2016

This is a breakdown of the Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry based on age.

For comparative purposes, see the statistics on The Ages of The Turnbull Government Ministers.

Whereas Turnbull is currently the only member of the executive over the age of 60, the ALP has 8 such members, including 2 in the Shadow Cabinet: Jenny Macklin and Senator Kim Carr. In most respects, however, the age breakdown is fairly similar between the ALP and the Coalition.

The oldest member of the Shorten team is Warren Snowdon, 66, who first entered Parliament in 1987. The youngest is Senator Sam Dastyari, 32, who filled a casual vacancy in 2013.

The average age of the Shorten team is 50.2, compared to 48.7 for the government. Turnbull’s Cabinet has an average age of 49.4, compared to Shorten’s 50.0.

Shorten ALP Opposition – Ages of Shadow Ministers – Summary
Group 60-69 50-59 40-49 30-39 Total Average Age
CABINET
2
7
11
1
21
50.0
OUTER MINISTRY
2
2
3
2
9
48.4
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES
4
6
4
2
16
51.4
TOTALS
8
15
18
5
46
50.2

[Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Ministries, Shadow Ministries Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Gary Gray: “I Am Made Sad By My Party’s Position”

Mar 17, 2016

Gary Gray has reiterated his support for the Senate voting reforms, in a speech to the Federation Chamber of the House of Representatives today.

Gray, the Labor member for Brand, said the government’s bill contained 95% of the recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.

Gray said the legislation sought to eliminate “pop-up parties” created for the purpose of garnering a small number of primary votes and then channelling those votes elsewhere through group voting tickets.

He said he would vote with his party against the legislation but said: “I am made sad by my party’s position.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2016 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, Electoral Reform, Legislation, Video Tagged With: ,

Party Discipline Trumps Policy Commitment: Gary Gray Supports Senate Voting Reform But Will Vote Against It

Feb 24, 2016

Gray Gray has reaffirmed his support for reform of the Senate voting system but committed himself to supporting the ALP Caucus decision to oppose the bill currently before the Parliament.

Gray, the Labor member for Brand in Western Australia, spoke in the House of Representatives today on the Turnbull government’s Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill which proposes elminating group voting tickets and introducing optional preferential voting above-the-line in Senate ballots.

Gray was a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) which made bipartisan recommendations in favour of sweeping changes to the Senate voting system. Gray said he supported the government’s bill but it would be a better bill if the JSCEM’s recommendations were adopted in full. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2016 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, Electoral Reform, Electoral System Tagged With: ,
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