Anthony Albanese unveils new-look frontbench after historic victory

Anthony Albanese has unveiled his rearranged second-term ministry, naming former communications minister Michelle Rowland as attorney-general after Mark Dreyfus was dumped from the frontbench due to factional negotiations.

West Australian and Muslim MP Anne Aly will also be promoted to cabinet, after fellow Muslim MP Ed Husic was sensationally sidelined along with Mr Dreyfus last week.

Ms Aly will take on the small business, multicultural affairs and international development portfolios.

While many of the government’s most high-profile ministers will remain in their roles following Labor’s landslide victory just over a week ago, the prime minister has reshuffled some cabinet positions, including that of frontbencher Tanya Plibersek, who will jump from the environment portfolio to social services.

Employment and workplace relations minister Murray Watt will become environment minister, which Mr Albanese said he considered a “senior role in a Labor government”, while Amanda Rishworth will move into his portfolio from social services.

Anika Wells, who was previously the aged care minister, will replace Ms Rowland as communications minister.

Health Minister Mark Butler will keep his original role but will take on additional responsibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, while Jenny McAllister will be sworn in as the standalone NDIS minister.

Senator Tim Ayers has also climbed the ranks, and joins Mr Albanese’s cabinet as the minister for science, industry and innovation, the portfolio that was previously held by Mr Husic.

In the days after Labor’s victory — which has seen the party secure more than 93 seats so far — factional heavyweights jostled for the spoils, resulting in the demotion of Mr Husic and Mr Dreyfus and the elevation of Victorians Daniel Mulino and Sam Rae to the ministry.

Mr Mulino and Mr Rae will take the outer ministry roles of assistant treasurer and minister for aged care and seniors, respectively.

The prime minister on Monday told reporters he had a “constructive discussion” with Mr Husic, after the outgoing minister used an Insiders appearance over the weekend to label Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles a “factional assassin”. He also alleged that it was partly his decision to speak out over the war in Gaza that made him a target.

“What I have done is to allocate portfolios. That is the system that is there. It is one that Ed and others have supported for a long period of time,” Mr Albanese said.

Senator Jess Walsh, who is also new to the ministry, will take on the early childhood education and youth portfolios from Ms Aly.

Senior ministers, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Education Minister Jason Clare, will continue in their roles.

Mr Albanese also gave several envoy positions to backbenchers, including second-term MP Dan Repacholi, who will be the new special envoy for men’s health, Northern Territory MP Marion Scrymgour, who will be tasked with working with remote communities, and Victorian MP Josh Burns, who will be the special envoy for social housing and homelessness.

Announcing the shake-up, Mr Albanese said it was the largest Labor caucus — referring to the number of sitting Labor politicians in federal parliament — in history.

He said that created an “extraordinary opportunity” for ministers and the party to “change this country for the better”.

“I am deeply humbled by the trust that was put into my government with the election, and we certainly won’t take it for granted,” he said.

The ministry will be sworn in at a ceremony before the Governor-General on Tuesday morning.