Following last Thursday’s botched coup and subsequent ministry sackings and resignations, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has revealed her new look ministry, breaking a record for the number of women included in the process.
Surpassing her previous record of eight female ministers, Gillard appointed three female ministers yesterday, bringing the number of women in the ministry to a ten. Nicola Roxon resigned from the frontbench earlier this year.
The shakeup included promotions for Jan McLucas, Sharon Bird and Catherine King, all appointed ministers. Amanda Rishworth and Yvette D’ath were appointed Parliamentary Secretaries.
The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, said female representation in the ministry is now at 33% and that she was pleased to see more of her female colleagues being promoted. She told The Australian it was “significantly better than the world’s average of around 17%”.
But with four months to go until the election, just how long will this record-breaking ministry last?
If today’s poll is a sign of what’s to come, it won’t be for long. Labor’s luck has gone from bad to worse, with Newspoll numbers showing primary votes for Labor have slumped to 30%, and Gillard’s personal standing as preferred PM has hit a 19-month low.
So while it may only be for a short time, who are the new women of Gillard’s ministry?
Catherine King
Ballarat MP Catherine King has been given the portfolio of Regional Services as well as Road Safety. She’s been the local member for Ballarat since 2001, one of the longest serving MP’s in the region.
Her experience in regional development policy will come in handy with an increased focus on regional infrastructure issues.
She said yesterday that her appointment of dual ministries and her local community focus was a challenge she was ready to take on.
“When the Prime Minister asked if I was willing to step into the outer ministry, I had to make those calls immediately,” she told the ABC.
“I’ve always worked really hard; my experience is there’s always work to do, and almost certain my workload will increase substantially.”
Jan McLucas
Queensland Senator Jan McLucas has been appointed Minister of Human Services.
She’s previously served as the Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Ageing in 2007. She stepped down from Kevin Rudd’s front bench in 2009, following controversy over travel allowance claims.
Sharon Bird
Cunningham MP Sharon Bird, who has been serving Illawara for a decade, has been appointed Minister for Higher Education and Skills. She took on the job of Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education and Skills in March 2012.
A former TAFE and high school teacher, she welcomed the opportunity to focus on education policy at a national level, despite an increased workload. ”My whole working life has been in the education sector,” Bird said on her appointment.
”There will be an increased workload, but when you are doing it in an area you love and are passionate about it is not a burden.”