Anthony Albanese has dropped the position of Shadow Minister for Equality from Labor’s line-up of parliamentary responsibilities.

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The new labor leader announced which MP would responsible for each portfolio area on Sunday. Western Australian senator Louise Pratt, who previously was the Shadow Minister for Equality, will become the Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing.

The party has been under pressure to review its policies relating to support of LGBTIQ+ people following their devastating election loss, and while no policy positions have been announced, the removal of a specific person responsible for equality is notable.

The decision to remove the position comes as a growing number of Labor MPs are voicing their support for religious freedom legislation to be introduced.

In the new lineup Senator Penny Wong remains the government’s leader in the senate, while also retaining the Foreign Affairs portfolio. Former New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally is deputy leader in the senate and will be responsible for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship.

Deputy leader Richard Marles will be the Shadow Defence Minister, Queensland’s Jim Chalmers becomes the Shadow Treasurer, wile former Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen moves across to Health.

Industrial Relations and the Arts will be looked after by Tony Burke, who remains to Manager of opposition business in the house. Tanya Plibersek retains the Education portfolio, but the Shadow Minister for Women will be Julie Collins, who will also be responsible for ageing.

Labor’s Shadow Cabinet

• Anthony Albanese MP – Opposition Leader
• Richard Marles MP – Deputy Opposition Leader, Defence
• Senator Penny Wong – Opposition Leader in the Senate, Foreign Affairs
• Senator Kristina Keneally, Deputy Opposition Leader in the Senate, Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship
• Tony Burke MP – Industrial Relations, Arts
• Bill Shorten MP – NDIS, Government Services
• Tanya Plibersek MP – Education and Training
• Jim Chalmers MP – Treasurer
• Mark Butler MP – Climate Change and Energy
• Chris Bowen MP – Health
• Catherine King MP – Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
• Joel Fitzgibbon MP – Agriculture and Resources
• Don Farrell MP – Special Minister of State, Sport, Tourism
• Mark Dreyfus MP – Attorney-General, Constitutional Reform
• Michelle Rowland MP – Communications
• Senator Katy Gallagher – Finance, Public Service
• Linda Burney MP – Families and Social Services, Indigenous Australians
• Julie Collins MP – Ageing and Seniors, Women
• Brendan O’Connor MP – Employment and Industry, Science, Small and Family business
• Jason Clare MP – Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Housing and Homeless
• Amanda Rishworth MP – Early Childhood Education, Youth
• Terri Butler MP – Environment and Water
• Madeleine King MP – Trade

OIP Staff