Anthony Albanese has demoted Tanya Plibersek in his new ministry, but she insists she is happy with her new job as Environment Minister.
Ms Plibersek, widely considered Albanese’s closest rival for the Labor leadership, has been removed from the education portfolio she held in the opposition.
That role has been entrusted to Jason Clare, who was praised for his expert performance at daily press conferences as spokesman for Labour’s election campaign.
Tanya Plibersek is seen being sworn in as Environment Minister in Canberra today.
Plibersek posted this photo of herself on Facebook on Tuesday night and insisted she is happy with her new job as Environment Minister.
Jason Clare (pictured today with his son) has been appointed Education Minister in Albanese’s new cabinet
Despite the demotion, Plibersek revealed on Facebook that she was “delighted” to have been given the environment and water portfolios.
‘I am delighted to be appointed a cabinet minister in the new Labor government with responsibility for the environment and water. “I look forward to the challenge,” he wrote Tuesday night.
‘Australia is lucky to be home to the most beautiful natural environments in the world, which we must protect and preserve for future generations. Let’s get to work.’
During the election campaign, Ms Plibersek rarely appeared with Mr Albanese and did not attend Labour’s campaign launch in Perth, leading pundits to say she had been “sidelined”.
Plibersek ignored those suggestions, insisting that he was campaigning nationwide and appearing regularly on radio and television.
The member for Sydney, 52, was deputy Labor leader for six years under Bill Shorten.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek shakes hands with Australian Governor-General David Hurley.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese poses with his new Ministry after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House
Linda Burney was sworn in as Minister for Indigenous Australians on Wednesday morning.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers poses for a photo with Governor General David Hurley at the inauguration
Albanese looks on during the swearing-in ceremony at the State House
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles tried to claim that his move from education to the environment was not a demotion because the Labor Party is taking the environment more seriously than the previous government.
Asked if Plibersek’s move was a demotion, he said: “That’s the last I would see of it.”
‘I mean that might be how the previous government saw that policy area, but for us, the environment is at the forefront and always has been under Labor governments.
“And for Tanya it has been a source of lasting passion, and also water,” he told ABC on Wednesday morning.
But experts agree that there is no doubt that education is a more prominent function.
Prime Minister Albanese unveiled his full ministry on Tuesday after winning a 77-seat majority in the lower house.
A record number of 19 women were elevated to ministerial positions, 13 in ministry and 10 in cabinet, while Ed Husic and Anne Aly became the first Muslim ministers in Australia’s history.
The Cabinet is a mix of familiar and new faces, along with some surprises following Labour’s first post-election meeting in Canberra on Tuesday.
Plibersek appeared alongside Albanese on May 4 in Melbourne (pictured). But she was mainly campaigning separately from him.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured on Tuesday) has unveiled his new ministry, which has some surprises.
“It’s a mix of people who have served in cabinet before, it’s the most experienced incoming Labor government in our history since Federation,” Mr Albanese said.
“This is an exciting team brimming with talent, with people absolutely committed to making a difference as ministers and deputy ministers in my government.”
Marles will take on the defense portfolio as well as the role of deputy prime minister, while Penny Wong was announced as foreign minister last week.
Katy Gallagher is responsible for three portfolios: finance, public services and women.
Clare O’Neil will be Home Secretary, while Aly will be responsible for children and youth education.
The cabinet is made up of 10 women, including the new Minister of Early Childhood Education and Youth, Anne Aly.
Clare O’Neil will be Home Secretary, while Aly will be responsible for children’s education and youth.
Don Farrell will be Minister for Trade and Tourism, as well as Special Minister of State, while Tony Burke will be Minister for Employment.
Mark Butler will take on health in the cabinet, with Chris Bowen in charge of climate change and energy.
Don Farrell will be Minister for Trade and Tourism, as well as Special Minister of State, while Tony Burke will be Minister for Employment.
Catherine King will be in charge of infrastructure, transportation and regional development.
Linda Burney will be Minister of Indigenous Affairs, the second Aboriginal person to take on the role.
Former opposition leader Bill Shorten will be minister for NDIS and government services, while Amanda Rishworth will be in charge of social services.
Mark Dreyfus will be the new attorney-general, while Brendan O’Connor will be the Minister for Skills and Training.
Julie Collins will be Minister for Housing and Homelessness, while Michelle Rowland will be Minister for Communications.
Madeleine King will be Minister for Resources, Murray Watt as Minister for Agriculture, while Ed Husic will be the new Minister for Industry and Science.
Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain will take on the regional development and local government portfolio.
“This is a record number (of women), this is the most positive group that has ever come forward in terms of the cabinet, the ministry and the caucus,” Mr Albanese said.
“I want to see us move toward 50-50 representation across the spectrum.”
Anthony Albanese says his new ministry is packed with talent
Among the surprises at the foreign office was new face Kristy McBain (pictured), who has only been an MP for two years.
Labor claimed a 77th seat on Tuesday and incumbent Labor MP Fiona Phillips is expected to retain her seat following a nail-biting contest against Liberal candidate and former New South Wales minister Andrew Constance.
“Today the Labor Party has won the 77th seat in the House of Representatives,” said Mr Albanese.
“Indeed, it confirms that Labor will be a majority government when Parliament resumes in July.”
“It means the Coalition failed to claim a single seat from Labor in the election.”
He granted It’s a “tough day” for those who lost a role on the front bench, including Shayne Neumann, who was demoted to the back bench.
Australia’s two Muslim prime ministers will be sworn in on Wednesday, including Ed Husic.