Meet your new federal government colleagues

The new cabinet is strong on diversity, with a record number of women and the country’s first female Muslim minister.

The progressive election has resulted in a progressive front bench in the new Albanese government.

After a whirlwind first week in the job, the prime minister has announced his cabinet with ministers sworn in on Wednesday morning. 

It includes 10 women, with 13 in the ministry and 19 on the front bench. Two Muslim ministers have been sworn in too: Anne Aly, now minister for early childhood education and youth, and Ed Husic, minister for industry and science.

Some of the new ministers will be familiar faces thanks to their prominence in the shadow cabinet and during the election campaign, or their experience in the previous Labor government almost a decade ago.

But as a refresher, here are the ministers who will be most relevant to the social sector:

Dr Andrew Leigh

Dr Andrew Leigh has been appointed assistant minister for competition, charities and treasury in a move long-awaited by the sector. 

Leigh has been the shadow charities minister for nine years and told Pro Bono News he was “thrilled to bits” with the appointment. 

“The priority is going to remain the same,” he said. “It’s building a nation which is more community-minded, more philanthropic, and places a greater value on strengthening the bonds between us”. 

His appointment has been welcomed across the sector.

Congratulations to Dr Andrew Leigh – newly appointed Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – the charities sector is looking forward to working with you – almost a decade of being Shadow Minister – real knowledge and expertise!

— David Crosbie (@DavidCrosbie2) May 31, 2022

Richard Marles

Richard Marles has been named deputy prime minister and minister for employment. Marles is the member for Corio in Victoria and has been around the halls of Parliament House since 2007. He was part of the 2013 cabinet and has held ministerial appointments including foreign affairs, trade, innovation and industry, and Pacific Island affairs. You may recognise him from the election campaign, where he featured often as a spokesperson for Labor.

Senator Katy Gallagher

Senator Katy Gallagher has been named minister for women. Gallagher is the former chief minister of the ACT, a former social worker and advocate for people with disability. She also served in Bill Shorten’s shadow ministry in 2015.

Mark Butler 

Mark Butler has been named minister for health and aged care. Butler has served as an MP since 2007. He has worked across various portfolios, including mental health, housing and homelessness, and climate change.

Chris Bowen

Chris Bowen has been named minister for climate change and energy. Bowen has served as an MP in the House of Representatives since 2004. He previously held the shadow portfolio for climate change and energy from 2021. Prior to this he held roles across Treasury, health, small business and immigration, among others.

Linda Burney

Linda Burney has been named minister for Indigenous Australians. She had previously held the same position in the shadow cabinet from 2019. She was the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, when she became the MP for Barton. Now, she is Australia’s first female Aboriginal minister for Indigenous Australians.

Amanda Rishworth

Amanda Rishworth is the new minister for social services. She has been an MP since 2007. Her previous parliamentary positions have taken in a broad range of areas including health, education, early childhood and youth, and she was parliamentary secretary for disabilities and carers in 2013.

Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten has been named minister for the NDIS, in news that was expected across the country. Shorten is well known for having worked on the NDIS in the Rudd government as parliamentary secretary for disabilities and children’s services. He is also the former Labor leader.

Julie Collins

Julie Collins has been appointed minister for housing and minister for homelessness. She previously held the same role in 2013 and, in the Gillard government, was the parliamentary secretary for community services and eventually minister for community services.

Anika Wells

Anika Wells has been appointed to the outer ministry as minister for aged care. She has been an MP since 2019 and this is her first ministerial appointment.

To see the full ministry, visit the Prime Minister of Australia website.