Michaelia Cash Elected Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash speaks during Senate Estimates at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 3, 2024. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Senator Michaelia Cash has been elected as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, succeeding retiring leader, Senator Simon Birmingham.

Cash will be the first woman to lead the Coalition in the Senate.

Senator Anne Ruston has also been elected as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

Cash made the announcement as the Senate began proceedings on Feb. 4.

She expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her by her colleagues.

Cash’s appointment comes at a time when the Coalition is preparing for the upcoming election campaign.  “I look forward to working with my Coalition colleagues to continue to hold the terrible Albanese Government to account in the Senate,” Cash said.

New Appointments to the Shadow Cabinet

Senator Cash also outlined several new appointments to the Coalition’s shadow cabinet.

She welcomed Senator Claire Chandler as the shadow minister for government services and the digital economy.

Chandler will also serve as the shadow minister for science, the arts, and Indigenous Australians.

Senator Jacinta Price will take on additional responsibilities as the shadow minister for government efficiency, as previously announced.

Additionally, Senator Matt O’Sullivan has been appointed shadow assistant minister for education.

These appointments are part of a broader reshuffle that seeks to strengthen the Coalition’s Senate team ahead of the election.

She also took a moment to thank Birmingham for his leadership of the Senate team, both in government and opposition.

His departure marks the end of an era for the Coalition, as he has been a prominent figure in Australian politics for nearly two decades.

Birmingham, who serves as both the Coalition Senate leader and shadow foreign minister under Peter Dutton’s leadership, announced his retirement and confirmed that he would not seek re-election next year.

He reflected on his time in office with mixed emotions.

Birmingham will take on a new role as ANZ Bank’s head of Asia Pacific engagement and chairman for South Australia.

Penny Wong Congratulates All-Women Team

Leader of the Government in the Senate, Penny Wong, congratulated Cash, saying it is the first time she will face an all-women team.

“It is the first time a woman has had the privilege of this position, and that is a historic day. I wanted to acknowledge it,” Wong said.

She also extended her congratulations to the other senators who have been promoted to various positions within the Coalition’s Senate leadership team.

Parliament Focuses on Key Bills Before Election

Meanwhile, with the election campaign looming, the focus in Parliament will turn to several key issues.

After the passage of over 40 laws in the November sitting, Parliament will consider important bills, particularly those that may shape the public discourse during the campaign.

Notably, the government is prioritising production tax credits for green aluminium under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s $2 billion credit plan.

In addition, hate speech laws aimed at curbing anti-Semitism are expected to be discussed, though both Labor and the Coalition are still negotiating the details.

Electoral reforms, which include caps on donations and limits on spending for candidates and parties, are also on the agenda.

These legislative priorities will play a significant role in shaping the election’s messaging.