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Anthony Albanese’s Labor ministry sworn in

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Kimberley CainesThe West Australian
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his ministers pose for photographers after swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled the make up of his first frontbench, with a record 13 of the 30 members being women. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING
Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese and his ministers pose for photographers after swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled the make up of his first frontbench, with a record 13 of the 30 members being women. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Credit: MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

Governor General David Hurley has sworn in 30 members of Labor’s new ministry — including four from WA — that contains a record number of women and MPs from ethnic backgrounds.

WA’s Anne Aly is the first female Muslim minister, who was sworn in at Government House in Canberra on Wednesday as the Early Childhood Education and Youth Minister.

Brand’s Madeleine King is the only MP from the State in Anthony Albanese’s Cabinet and will serve as the Resources and Northern Australia Minister.

She did hold the Trade portfolio in Opposition, but that role has been assigned to SA Senator Don Farrell.

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Burt MP Matt Keogh was appointed Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel in the Outer Ministry, while Perth MP Patrick Gorman missed out on a promotion and was made Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister.

The group of MPs were individually sworn in before posing for a variety of family photos on the steps of Government House.

The new ministers will take part in briefings in the afternoon followed by a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday night.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday evening listed his new-look team and said he was proud to lead “an inclusive government that is as diverse as Australia itself”.

He appointed 13 women to a ministerial role with a record 10 in the Cabinet.

“All my colleagues are very talented and have a lot to contribute,” Ms King said on Tuesday.

“It’s good to have Anne onboard in the ministry and I’m very excited by what she will contribute.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Matt Keogh, Madeleine King, Anne Aly and Patrick Gorman.
Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese with Matt Keogh, Madeleine King, Anne Aly and Patrick Gorman. Credit: Jenny Evans/Getty Images
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his ministers pose for photographers after swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra.
Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese and his ministers pose for photographers after swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra. Credit: MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks on during a swearing-in ceremony at Government House on June 01, 2022 in Canberra.
Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese looks on during a swearing-in ceremony at Government House on June 01, 2022 in Canberra. Credit: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The swearing in coincides with Labor securing 77 seats in the House of Representatives, after the marginal seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast was called for incumbent Fiona Phillips.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is Defence Minister, Penny Wong is Foreign Affairs Minister, Jim Chalmers in Treasurer, Katy Gallagher is Minister for Finance and Tony Burke is Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Mark Butler is Health Minister and Julie Collins is Housing Minister.

Elsewhere in the Ministry, there were jobs for Chris Bowen (Climate Change and Energy), Mark Dreyfus (Attorney General), Brendan O’Connor (Skills and Training), Bill Shorten (NDIS), Amanda Rishworth (Social Services), Murray Watt (Agriculture) and Ed Husic (Industry).

Arguably the biggest winner from Mr Albanese’s frontbench shake-up was Jason Clare, who becomes Education Minister after his starring performance as Labor’s campaign spokesman.

Education was held in opposition by Tanya Plibersek, who despite being one of the party’s best-known politicians was given a reduced role in government as Environment and Water Minister.

Clare O’Neil was appointed Home Affairs Minister after Kristina Keneally, who held the portfolio in opposition, was defeated in the once-safe Sydney seat of Fowler.

WA Senator Patrick Dodson was named a special envoy for reconciliation and the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a role he will perform alongside Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney.

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