Tanya Plibersek has been removed from her environment portfolio as the prime minister unveiled his new ministry.
Ms Plibersek, who has a frosty relationship with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese despite being one of Labor’s most senior women, has been shifted from her environment portfolio to social services.
Michelle Rowland will become the new attorney-general after Mark Dreyfus was knifed by his own right faction in a power play by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Murray Watt is the new environment minister, with Amanda Rishworth taking the employment and workplace relations portfolio.
It comes after Mr Albanese went over the top of Ms Plibersek’s authority to quash environmental laws she negotiated with the Greens after protests from stakeholders in resource-rich Western Australia.
Mr Albanese retained his frontline team of Defence Minister Mr Marles, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell.
Other ministers keeping their portfolios include Malarndirri McCarthy (Indigenous Australians), Tony Burke (home affairs), Mark Butler (health), Chris Bowen (energy), Jason Clare (education) and Clare O’Neil (housing).
Anne Aly was elevated to cabinet from the outer ministry, making her the sole Muslim MP in the senior leadership team after Ed Husic fell victim to factional warfare.
Dr Aly’s promotion reflects a greater focus on WA after the state helped deliver Labor government for the second consecutive federal election.
Tim Ayres was also promoted to cabinet while Jess Walsh, Daniel Mulino and Sam Rae entered the 30-person ministry.
The ministry will be sworn in at Government House on Tuesday.
Mr Husic’s demotion has been criticised by Labor luminary and former prime minister Paul Keating and Muslim community groups.
Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin thanked Mr Dreyfus for what he had done for the community.
He pointed to the most senior Jewish MPs actions including wearing a pin commemorating Israeli hostages, visiting Auschwitz for the 80th anniversary of the liberation and introducing anti-doxxing laws.
The refreshed leadership team will sink its teeth into Labor’s second-term policy agenda with parliament set to resume in July, with legislation cutting student debt by 20 per cent the first cab off the rank.
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