I thought I would pull together the announcements emerging over the last few days about the new Ministers in portfolios of interest to members. The following positions have been announced:
- Tony Burke will remain as Minister for the Arts but picks up a new role as Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship
- Sen. Kim Carr returns to his earlier position as Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and picks up the portfolio of Minister for Higher Education.
- Bill Shorten has been appointed Minister for School Education
- Mark Butler, Minister for Climate Change, and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Water
- Anthony Albanese, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in addition to holding Infrastructure and Transport
- Melissa Parke has been appointed to the new role of Minister for International Development
- Gary Gray is Minister for Tourism with additional portfolio responsibilities for Resources and Energy and Small Business. Don Farrell is Minister Assisting on Tourism
- Warren Snowdon, Minister for Veteran’s Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of ANZAC
- Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in addition to holding the portfolio of Minister for Disability Reform
- Kate Ellis, Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth
- Catherine King, Minister for Regional Australia, Local Government and Territories
- Sharon Bird, Minister for Regional Development
- Kate Lundy is Minister Assisting Industry and Innovation and Minister Assisting for the Digital Economy
For further information see http://www.alp.org.au/ministers
Federal Election Dates
As for the next Federal election date, according to this (exhaustive) article on the topic from The Conversation, the only possible dates are either October 19 or October 26.
