A federal cabinet reshuffle will see new faces in the employment, workplace relations, and skills and training portfolios, with Minister Tony Burke set to inherit home affairs, immigration, and cyber security responsibilities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Labor government’s new-look cabinet on Sunday, after the resignation of former Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor, and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney.
Although the impending retirement of Ministers O’Connor and Burney necessitated the shake-up, it also provided an opportunity to reassign former Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, and former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles.
Ministers O’Neil and Giles have both faced significant scrutiny after a High Court ruling led to the release of nearly 150 former immigration detainees late last year.
Fronting reporters on Sunday, Prime Minister Albanese defended the performance of both O’Neil and Giles, saying they had inherited a legal “mess” from the former Coalition government.
Minister Burke will take on the home affairs and cyber security portfolios from Minister O’Neil, and the immigration and multicultural affairs responsibilities from Minister Giles.
At the same time, Minister Burke will remain the Minister for the Arts and Leader of the House.
His rise to the key home affairs portfolio comes after the passage of a contentious but largely successful plan to overhaul Australia’s industrial relations landscape.
Senator Murray Watt will take on the employment and workplace relations portfolio from Burke.
Minister O’Neil will take on the housing and homelessness portfolio from Minister Julie Collins, who will retain her small business portfolio, and gain the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry ministry.
Minister Giles will be sworn in as Minister for Skills and Training, taking over from O’Connor.
To replace Minister Burney, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is set to take the role of Minister for Indigenous Australians.
New Governor-General Sam Mostyn will swear them in at Government House on Monday morning.
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Senior Business Journalist
Focused on the small business sector, David’s work covers the political, regulatory, and economic issues facing Australian entrepreneurs. Prior to joining SmartCompany, he was a reporter for Business Insider Australia. You can follow him on LinkedIn.
