PM picks his team for the grand final

By necessity, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced changes to the Ministry today, as Bill Shorten’s departure is expected before the end of the month. Queenslander Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport, has been promoted to Cabinet highlighting the importance of Queensland to the government’s re-election hopes. 

Amanda Rishworth is to add the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to her ministerial portfolio responsibilities of Social Services, with Government Services going to Senator Katy Gallagher, while Dr Anne Aly will be the Assistant Minister to Amanda Rishworth.

At times of change, institutional knowledge and continuity is important, so handing the reigns to Amanda Rishworth and promoting Anika Wells to Cabinet is a good move, given that Bill has worked closely with both Ministers meeting regularly on portfolio issues. This will help ensure his legacy is in good hands, although I have no doubts that he will continue to be an advocate for the disability sector well into the future.

In February, Bill Shorten takes on the role of Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra, just a stone’s throw from Parliament House.

There’s no doubt the election campaign has started. Labor has started well, with the PM making several significant announcements in the first two weeks of January, and he will address the National Press Club next week. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton started the Coalition’s campaign off with a rally in Melbourne last weekend, knowing they must win seats in Victoria if they are to have a chance at the next election, and I get a sense that the Liberals are increasingly confident in the state of Victoria. The performance of both leaders in the weeks ahead will determine who will be the next Prime Minister of Australia.