Veteran Labor MP Julie Collins has been appointed as the new Minister for Small Business, joining the ranks of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s brand new cabinet.
Albanese revealed the makeup of his frontbench Tuesday evening, one week after declaring federal election victory. The result: a frontbench with extensive experience, including cabinet credentials from the Labor government of Kevin Rudd.
Collins is among that number, having occupied the community services, indigenous employment and economic development, housing and homelessness, and status of women portfolios in the Rudd government.
The Member for Franklin will now oversee the Housing and Homelessness portfolios from within Albanese’s cabinet, along with the new addition of Small Business.
Those appointments are an “immense privilege”, Collins posted on social media after the ministry list was revealed.
Collins takes over the portfolio from former minister for employment, workforce, skills, small and family business Stuart Robert.
Packaging the Small Business portfolio with the Housing and Homelessness ministries suggests a new pathway for SME issues within Albanese’s cabinet, as the small business remit is traditionally tied to skills and employment.
MP Tony Burke was appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, after occupying the industrial relations portfolio from the shadow ministry.
MP Brendan O’Connor — who served as minister for small business in 2012, and in employment-focused portfolios during Labor’s recent years in opposition — was tapped to become Albanese’s Minister for Skills and Training.
MP Ed Husic was appointed Minister for Industry and Science, after more than a year of service as shadow minister for industry and innovation, and an earlier stint as shadow minister for the digital economy.
In opposition, Husic was recognised as a go-to parliamentary advocate for the Australian tech and startup sector.
Other key positions in Labor’s cabinet were foreshadowed last Monday, as Albanese’s swearing in coincided with the appointment of an interim ministry.
MP Jim Chalmers became federal Treasurer, after occupying the top economic role within Labor’s shadow ministry.
Chalmers is set to deliver Labor’s economic statement after Parliament returns on July 26, and Labor’s federal budget in October, paving over the 2022-23 economic plans laid by the Coalition in March.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was appointed as the interim Minister for Employment, progressing from his former role as shadow minister for national reconstruction, employment, skills and small business.
Marles now occupies the Defence portfolio in Albanese’s finalised cabinet.
Senator Katy Gallagher was appointed the role of Minister for Finance and Minister for Women.
Her interim appointment as attorney-general has come to an end, with MP Mark Dreyfuss to occupy the role as Australia’s top legal officer.
Senator Penny Wong was also appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.
This article was first published by SmartCompany.