The Coalition has announced a new revamped shadow ministry following the Dunkley by-election on the weekend.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the appointments would strengthen the Coalition team as they approach the lead-up to the “critical task ahead.”
The reshuffle follows the Dunkley by-election on Saturday, where Labor retained the seat but Liberals obtained a 3.6 percent swing.
Luke Howarth from Queensland has been promoted to shadow assistant treasurer and minister for financial services.
New South Wales MP Melissa McIntosh will take on the role of shadow minister for energy affordability and Western Sydney.
Further, Victorian Senator James Paterson will become the shadow cabinet secretary on top of his existing home affairs portfolio.
Western Australian MP Andrew Hastie will take on the role of shadow minister for defence industry and defence personnel. Mr. Hastie already holds the defence portfolio.
Leader of the Opposition Dutton said, “These appointments are excellent additions to the Coalition’s stable and united team. I can assure all Australians that the Coalition under my leadership will continue focussing on the policy issues that matter.”
In addition, several parliamentarians have been promoted to shadow assistant minister roles.
New South Wales Senator Andrew Bragg will become shadow assistant minister for home ownership, while South Australian James Stevens will take on the role of shadow assistant minister for government waste reduction.
Queensland MP Phillip Thompson will add assistant minister for defence industry and defence personnel, to his existing responsibilities.
Queensland Senator Paul Scarr will become the shadow assistant minister for multicultural engagement, while New South Wales Senator Hollie Hughes will become the shadow assistant minister for mental health and suicide prevention, as well as for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Senator Hughes said she was deeply honoured to be promoted, in a statement on March 5.
“I would also like to congratulate my other colleagues on their various appointments.”
“Amidst the current cost of living crisis, energy costs have continued to put immense pressure on everyday Australians, manufacturers and local small business across the country,” she said.
“I will continue to represent my community with diligence as I take on this new role and represent the whole of Western Sydney, and fight for energy affordability for all Australians.”
Albanese Announces $2 Billion Spend
Meanwhile, the shadow reshuffle comes as Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new $2 billion investment financing facility to boost investment in Southeast Asia at a summit in Melbourne on March 4.The fund will support the region’s “clean energy transition and infrastructure development.”
“One in four of Australia’s jobs are trade dependent. When we look at the region where we live—for years, and for decades indeed, we used to speak about the tyranny of distance that Australia had from the large markets of the world, which was seen to be Europe, and the United States of America.
“Now we can speak about the proximity of opportunity, located where we are, right in the middle of the fastest growing region of the world in human history. That presents an incredible opportunity for Australia.”
