Familiar faces in key trade and transport portfolios

A NEW cabinet and ministry have been sworn in for the re-elected ALP government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with familiar faces in key portfolios relating to trade, infrastructure, and agriculture.

Don Farrell retains Trade and Tourism, Catherine King remains Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government while Julie Collins stays in the key portfolio of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

All of them are cabinet ministers.

Anthony Chisholm, meanwhile, has been reappointed as assistant agriculture minister.

Ms Collins previously took over the agriculture portfolio mid-last year, replacing Murray Watt who was put in charge of employment and is now the environment minister.

These portfolios have avoided some of the factional brawling that occurred over the weekend when it was announced that senior ministers Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic had been squeezed out of not only cabinet but the ministry.

Shipping Australia chief executive Melwyn Noronha was among those to offer congratulations to the Prime Minister confirming his ministry, including the reappointments.

“We stand ready to continue working with government and other stakeholders to deliver the required reforms needed to lift waterfront productivity and promote and facilitate Australia’s international maritime trade to the benefit of everyday Australians,” Captain Noronha said.

National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke praised Julie Collins and Anthony Chisholm for their “valuable experience” talked of Senator Farrell’s “outstanding job working for farmers in trade”.

“As we continue to face trade disruptions, we look forward to continuing to work with him on access to key markets,” Mr Jochinke said.

Across the chamber, Sussan Ley is the new opposition leader after defeating Angus Taylor in a ballot to lead the federal Liberal Party.

Ted O’Brien has been elected as her deputy.