PM spruiks ‘positive agenda’ after new-look ministry sworn in

Anthony Albanese has spruiked Labor’s “positive agenda” after he and his new-look ministry were sworn in. Governor-General Sam Mostyn conducted Tuesday’s swearings-in, well and truly drawing a line under the factional fighting that reshaped the Prime Minister’s cabinet and outer ministry. It also clears the way for Mr Albanese to get back to work after more than six weeks of governing in caretaker mode. Mr Albanese said it was “an incredible honour to be elected” but an “even greater honour to serve in the executive of a Labor government”. “We are ahead at this point in 94 electorates - there is a possibility of a 95th,” he told reporters at Parliament House. “We’ll wait and see, as counting continues there, but what’s clear is that we represent the largest caucus of Labor members in Australian history since Federation. “And that’s because of the discipline and focus that we showed in our first term. “We had a clear plan. We set about focusing on the issues that were close to people.” Mr Albanese said the job now was to “go through every single one of our commitments and deliver on them”. “And that’s what I expect ministers to do over the coming three years,” he said. “We have an incredible honour of dealing with representing the best country on Earth.” New-look ministry Earlier, Mr Albanese took his affirmation of office before Ms Mostyn, with fiancee Jodie Haydon and son Nathan watching on. Technically, he had to resign before he could comment his second term. One by one, members of the new ministry, joined by their partners and families, filed into Government House. Many were dressed in red to celebrate Labor’s landslide federal election win. Richard Marles, Penny Wong, and Jim Chalmers have all been sworn in for their second terms as defence minister, foreign affairs minister and treasurer respectively. ACT senator Katy Gallagher continued on as finance, public service, women and government services minister, and Don Farrell, Tony Burke, Mark Butler, Pat Conroy and Chris Bowen have all also retained portfolios. But former workplace relations minister Murray Watt was sworn in as environment minister, while his predecessor Tanya Plibersek was shifted to social services. Michelle Rowland was moved from communications to attorney-general. Anika Wells – joined by her husband and three young children, one of which kicked a rugby ball past the doors of the ceremony room – was sworn in as communications and sports minister. Anne Aly, has been elevated into cabinet, sworn in as the small business, international development and multicultural affairs minister. Senator Tim Ayres has also been promoted to the ministry and has been sworn in as industry, innovation and science minister. Moving on to the outer ministry, Mett Keogh, Kristy McBain and Andrew Giles have been sworn in as veterans’ affairs and defence personnel, regional development and emergency management and skills and training ministers respectively. The NDIS portfolio will be shared between senator Jenny McAllister and Mark Butler. Daniel Mulino has been sworn in as assistant treasurer and financial services minister, promoted to the frontbench following the dumping of Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic. Senator Jess Walsh and Sam Rae have been sworn in as early child education and youth minister and aged care and seniors ministers respectively. Mr Albanese unveiled his new ministry picks on Monday, announcing that Labor had the largest “caucus in history since federation”. The party had already claimed up to 92 seats and was expecting more in Western Australia and Victoria, he told reporters. The swearing-in ceremony unfolded as the Liberal Party voted at Parliament House to determine their next leader following Peter Dutton’s election defeat. Sussan Ley – backed by moderates – has emerged as the winner of the showdown with Angus Taylor, becoming the first woman to lead the Liberals. Meanwhile, Ted O’Brien had a comfortable win 38 votes to 16 for the position of deputy leader.