Anthony Albanese: What to know about the new Labor leader 1:52
Anthony Albanese will take on the daunting task of leading the embarrassed Labor party, here is everything to know about Albo.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is putting the final touches to his frontbench team. Picture Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
Labor leader Anthony Albanese is putting the final touches to his frontbench team to be announced on Sunday.
It’s expected the shadow cabinet and outer shadow ministry will largely mirror Scott Morrison’s line-up sworn in by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove on Wednesday.
Former leader Bill Shorten has been guaranteed a spot in the 20-member shadow cabinet and is reportedly interested in the health and disabilities portfolios.
RELATED: Why Anthony Albanese’s ascendancy is historic
RELATED: Anthony Albanese hits back after being accused of not taking a stand on Adani
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is preparing to announce his 20 member shadow cabinet on Sunday. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
Beyond the shadow cabinet there will be 10 outer shadow ministry positions.
Queensland MP Jim Chalmers is widely expected to take over the role of shadow treasurer from Chris Bowen.
There is speculation Mr Chalmers’ Queensland colleague Shayne Neumann could be moved from immigration into resources.
The Opposition will face heavy criticism from the Coalition if a Home Affairs spokesperson is not added to the Labor line-up — something it lacked in the past term.
The Labor caucus has already elected Victorian MP Richard Marles as deputy leader and made senators Penny Wong and Kristina Keneally the leadership team in the Senate.
Labor's Senate Leader Penny Wong and Labor Deputy Leader in the Senate Kristina Keneally. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
After announcing Labor’s new leadership and ministry team this week, Mr Albanese will allocate their portfolios on Sunday.
The shadow cabinet will meet in Brisbane on Tuesday, as Mr Albanese and colleagues engage in a post-election “listening tour” of the country.
One of those set for a frontbench role, Catherine King, said the party should take its time with the election post-mortem examination.
“We scared people, basically, I think,” she told ABC radio. “And particularly we scared people in our working class and lower-income areas and we have to understand what that was and … why we weren’t getting our message through.”
Victorian Labor MP for Scullin Andrew Gilles — who was named in Mr Albanese’s shadow ministry this week — says it is too early to talk about a change of direction for the party.
“Our challenge … is to get better at listening rather than reaching conclusions too quickly,” Mr Giles told ABC.
In the wake of Labor’s unexpected election loss, Mr Albanese simply said the party’s policies “didn’t connect with enough people”.
The latest election figures show Labor faced a 4.2 per cent swing against it in Queensland and a 4.3 per cent swing in Tasmania.
Add your comment to this story
To join the conversation, please Log in. Don't have an account? Sign up
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout