Dutton Reshuffles Shadow Ministry As Opposition Preps for Next Election

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton reacts during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on March 30, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The Coalition has announced a new revamped shadow ministry following the Dunkley by-election on the weekend.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the appointments would strengthen the Coalition team as they approach the lead-up to the “critical task ahead.”

The reshuffle follows the Dunkley by-election on Saturday, where Labor retained the seat but Liberals obtained a 3.6 percent swing.

Luke Howarth from Queensland has been promoted to shadow assistant treasurer and minister for financial services.

New South Wales MP Melissa McIntosh will take on the role of shadow minister for energy affordability and Western Sydney.

Further, Victorian Senator James Paterson will become the shadow cabinet secretary on top of his existing home affairs portfolio.

Western Australian MP Andrew Hastie will take on the role of shadow minister for defence industry and defence personnel. Mr. Hastie already holds the defence portfolio.

Leader of the Opposition Dutton said, “These appointments are excellent additions to the Coalition’s stable and united team. I can assure all Australians that the Coalition under my leadership will continue focussing on the policy issues that matter.”

In addition, several parliamentarians have been promoted to shadow assistant minister roles.

New South Wales Senator Andrew Bragg will become shadow assistant minister for home ownership, while South Australian James Stevens will take on the role of shadow assistant minister for government waste reduction.

Queensland MP Phillip Thompson will add assistant minister for defence industry and defence personnel, to his existing responsibilities.

Queensland Senator Paul Scarr will become the shadow assistant minister for multicultural engagement, while New South Wales Senator Hollie Hughes will become the shadow assistant minister for mental health and suicide prevention, as well as for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Senator Hughes said she was deeply honoured to be promoted, in a statement on March 5.

“These are significant responsibilities and areas that may affect millions of Australians and I look forward to working with my shadow cabinet colleagues to ensure we have the best policy settings in these critical areas ahead of the next election,” she said.

“I would also like to congratulate my other colleagues on their various appointments.”

Ms. McIntosh said she was honoured to be appointed by Mr. Dutton as a shadow minister, in a post to Facebook.

“Amidst the current cost of living crisis, energy costs have continued to put immense pressure on everyday Australians, manufacturers and local small business across the country,” she said.

“I will continue to represent my community with diligence as I take on this new role and represent the whole of Western Sydney, and fight for energy affordability for all Australians.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Stevens said, “Today I was honoured to be appointed by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to the Shadow Ministry as Shadow Assistant Minister for Government Waste Reduction.”

“My new responsibilities represent an exciting opportunity to be part of the serious and comprehensive policy development process we will be undertaking to present a strong and bold alternative to the Albanese government.”

Albanese Announces $2 Billion Spend

Meanwhile, the shadow reshuffle comes as Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new $2 billion investment financing facility to boost investment in Southeast Asia at a summit in Melbourne on March 4.

The fund will support the region’s “clean energy transition and infrastructure development.”

“What it means is new investment, what it means is jobs here in Australia. The reason why we engage internationally in trade, is because it is in our national interests,” Mr. Albanese said during a doorstop in Melbourne.

“One in four of Australia’s jobs are trade dependent. When we look at the region where we live—for years, and for decades indeed, we used to speak about the tyranny of distance that Australia had from the large markets of the world, which was seen to be Europe, and the United States of America.

“Now we can speak about the proximity of opportunity, located where we are, right in the middle of the fastest growing region of the world in human history. That presents an incredible opportunity for Australia.”