Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the first ministry of his second term following the May 3 federal election.
Albanese on May 12 named his government’s 30-member ministry after his Labour Party won re-election in a landslide result, Xinhua news agency reported.
Of the 30 ministers, the vast majority have been retained from the previous term of parliament. Senior figures, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, will continue in their roles. Michelle Rowland, previously minister for communications, will become Australia’s Attorney-General, and former Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has been moved to the social services portfolio, with her previous role filled by Murray Watt.
Rowland will replace former Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus who was dumped from the ministry along with Ed Husic, former minister for science and industry, due to factional negotiations within the Labour Party.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell will continue in their roles from the previous term. Health Minister Mark Butler will also pick up the National Disability Insurance Scheme portfolio.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had declared Labour candidates as the winners in 93 out of the 150 seats that will comprise the lower house of the 48th parliament where the government will be formed.
The ABC said that Labor was leading the vote count in one of five seats still in doubt.