PM set to unveil frontbench team as Labor prepares to govern in majority
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to unveil his cabinet as Labor comes together for the first time since its election victory.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces some surprisingly large decisions over the coming months, particularly when it comes to the climate change wars. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
The full front bench will be finalised following a Labor caucus meeting on Tuesday and sworn in at Government House on Wednesday.
The decision comes after Labor factions met in Canberra on Monday.
Albanese told the caucus the party won government by showing unity, discipline and a sense of purpose.
“We had a good story to tell,” he told colleagues.
“We weren’t intimidated by anyone, we didn’t get distracted, we stayed on course and the discipline we showed was magnificent.
“Planning is the first step, faith is the second and solidarity is the third.
“They are the three things that I want to define this caucus, this parliament.”
The new prime minister received a standing ovation as he entered the government party room in Parliament House, and personally recognised 16 new Labor faces.
“For those newbies, you really struck gold because opposition is not fun. At all,” he said.
“I’ve been in this building now for 26 years. I’ve had six at (the government) end of the corridor. I don’t intend going back.”
An interim cabinet of five members was sworn in days after Albanese claimed victory in the federal election on May 21.
They included Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.
While Albanese had earlier indicated MPs who held a shadow ministry in opposition would likely hold a similar portfolio in government, some changes are expected.
Among them will be a replacement for home affairs, with previous Labor spokeswoman Kristina Keneally failing to win the seat of Fowler in Sydney.
Labor’s previous environment spokeswoman Terri Butler also lost her inner-Brisbane seat of Griffith to the Greens.
Other portfolios have already been announced, with Linda Burney set to be indigenous affairs minister and the second Aboriginal person in the role.
Labor’s caucus meeting on Tuesday may not be a full meeting, with two seats still in doubt following the May 21 election.
Labor will be able to govern in its own right after reaching the 76 seats needed to form a majority.
The ABC’s election analyst Antony Green called the Victorian seat of Macnamara for Labor incumbent Josh Burns, following a tight three-way contest.
Counting continues in the seats of Gilmore and Deakin, with results in both electorates still too close to call.
Albanese had pledged he would treat new Opposition Leader Peter Dutton with respect, but said the government’s mandate following the election should also be respected.
