Labor politicians have swapped factional fisticuffs for fashion and family fun as their ministry was sworn in.
Smiles were abundant following a big election victory as new and old members of the Labor ministry gathered at Government House in Canberra on Tuesday.
Accompanied by his son Nathan and fiancee Jodie Haydon, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was sworn in by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
“I, Anthony Norman Albanese, do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will well and truly serve the Commonwealth of Australia, her land and the people in the office of Prime Minister,” he said.
Matching Ms Haydon’s bright red suit, Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived with her family in a red suit and heels.
Cradling his toddler in one arm with a giraffe backpack in the other, Health Minister Mark Butler was all smiles as he strode into the governor-general’s house alongside his partner.
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil also brought her daughter, who kept on theme by tying her pigtails with bright red clips.
Patrick Gorman’s daughter sparkled in a glittery tuile dress, though she hid behind her father when the cameras showed up.
So many children were brought to the ceremony that Government House officials set up a break room to offer the kids and their parents some space.
A group of young adults also accompanied their parents including Defence Minister Richard Marles’s son Sam, an MMA fighter who – like his father – triumphed during an election night tussle.
After being dumped by Mr Albanese from the environment portfolio, newly-minted Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was followed by her towering son who showed off a trendy, shaggy hairdo.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke could be in the running for the biggest Bible of the day after he was sworn in on a large tome, brought to Australia by his great-grandfather in the aftermath of the Irish famine.
Most ministerial positions in the Albanese government’s second term were largely unchanged, although Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic were dumped from the front bench after manoeuvring by Labor’s right faction.
That left a sour taste in some MPs mouths after Mr Husic accused Mr Marles of acting as a “factional assassin”.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the limited number of cabinet positions meant “very good people” can get left out.
“It was messy and nobody would want that to happen, particularly to two people who are respected in our team,” he told Nine’s Today show on Tuesday.
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