Former Labor leader Bill Shorten’s announcement in September that he was leaving politics to become the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra has triggered a Cabinet reshuffle.
Shorten, who currently oversees the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and government services, will step down next month, leading Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reorganise his cabinet.
The NDIS, which has faced scrutiny over cost overruns, will now go to Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, with assistance from Anne Aly as junior minister.
Government services, including Centrelink, will be managed by Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.
Aged Care and Sports Minister Anika Wells will be promoted to Cabinet. Albanese praised Wells for her work throughout the Olympics and on aged care reforms.
“Anika Wells has done an outstanding job,” he told reporters.
The promotions will be official after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Jan. 20.
This is the second time the Prime Minister has reshuffled his cabinet. In July, he axed the entire Home Affairs Ministry, replacing Clare O'Neil and Andrew Giles with Tony Burke following a controversy over immigration.
Other recent promotions include Northern Territory senator Malarndirri McCarthy to Indigenous Affairs and Senator Jenny McAllister to Minister for Cities and Emergency Management.
Shorten’s decision to end his political career, more than a week earlier than expected, brought to an end a 17-year career in the Federal Parliament. This included a stint as Labor Party leader which came to an end in 2019 after he lost the election to Scott Morrison’s Coalition.
In his final months, Shorten focused on ensuring that the NDIS reforms were carried out, a commitment the prime minister vowed to uphold.
“We will build on the work that Bill Shorten has done ... to make the scheme stronger, to deliver dignity and security for Australians with a disability,” Albanese said.
