Shadow Cabinet (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The Shadow Cabinet of Australia is a group of senior Opposition
spokespeople who form an alternative Cabinet to the government
's, whose members shadow or mark each individual Minister or portfolio of the Government.
The "opposition front bench" comprises the full shadow ministry including the shadow cabinet, other shadow ministers and shadow parliamentary secretaries.
As an institution, the shadow cabinet is much less defined—or studied—than the Cabinet with its well established formal procedures. Shadow Cabinet operates more as a committee of an opposition political party than an institution of Government or Parliament. The Cabinet Handbook was first published in 1926 and the updated version is available on-line but no such equivalent exists for Shadow Cabinet.
Since the 2007 federal election, the Liberal–National Coalition
has been the Official Opposition. Following the 2010 federal election, the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott
, announced the current Shadow Cabinet on 14 September 2010.
MP
Chief Opposition Whip: Warren Entsch
MP
Opposition Whip: Patrick Secker
MP
Deputy Opposition Whip: Nola Marino
MP
Opposition (Australia)
Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in Australia fulfils the same function as the official opposition in other Commonwealth of Nations monarchies. It is seen as the alternative government and the existing administration's main opponent at a general election...
spokespeople who form an alternative Cabinet to the government
Cabinet of Australia
The Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers of the Crown, responsible to parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister the Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, and serves at the former's pleasure. The strictly private...
's, whose members shadow or mark each individual Minister or portfolio of the Government.
The "opposition front bench" comprises the full shadow ministry including the shadow cabinet, other shadow ministers and shadow parliamentary secretaries.
As an institution, the shadow cabinet is much less defined—or studied—than the Cabinet with its well established formal procedures. Shadow Cabinet operates more as a committee of an opposition political party than an institution of Government or Parliament. The Cabinet Handbook was first published in 1926 and the updated version is available on-line but no such equivalent exists for Shadow Cabinet.
Since the 2007 federal election, the Liberal–National Coalition
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
has been the Official Opposition. Following the 2010 federal election, the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott
Tony Abbott
Anthony John "Tony" Abbott is the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian House of Representatives and federal leader of the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. Abbott has represented the seat of Warringah since the 1994 by-election...
, announced the current Shadow Cabinet on 14 September 2010.
Members of the Shadow Cabinet
The following are the current members of the Shadow Cabinet:| Party | Portfolio | Shadow Minister | House |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Leader of the Opposition | Tony Abbott Tony Abbott Anthony John "Tony" Abbott is the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian House of Representatives and federal leader of the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. Abbott has represented the seat of Warringah since the 1994 by-election... |
MP |
| Liberal | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shadow Minister for Trade |
Julie Bishop Julie Bishop Julie Isabel Bishop is an Australian politician and the current Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia. She holds this title as the deputy leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. She is the party's first female Deputy Leader and the third woman in Australian history to... |
MP |
| National | Leader of the Nationals Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport |
Warren Truss Warren Truss Warren Errol Truss , Australian politician, is the current leader of the National Party of Australia in the Parliament of Australia. He has held the House of Representatives seat of Wide Bay since the 1990 election... |
MP |
| Liberal | Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations |
Eric Abetz Eric Abetz Eric Abetz , has been a Liberal Party member of the Australian Senate since February 1994, representing the state of Tasmania. He is currently Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. He was educated at the University of Tasmania and was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Arts |
George Brandis George Brandis George Henry Brandis, SC , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate representing Queensland since May 2000.-Education & Early Career:... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Treasurer | Joe Hockey Joe Hockey Joseph Benedict "Joe" Hockey , is an Australian politician and member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of North Sydney for the Liberal Party of Australia since 1996.... |
MP |
| Liberal | Manager of Opposition Business in the House Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training |
Christopher Pyne Christopher Pyne Christopher Maurice Pyne, MP , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since 13 March 1993, representing the Division of Sturt, South Australia.-Early years:... |
MP |
| Country Liberal | Deputy Leader of the Nationals Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs |
Nigel Scullion Nigel Scullion Nigel Gregory Scullion , Australian politician, has been a member of the Australian Senate for the Northern Territory since November 2001, representing the Country Liberal Party... |
Senator |
| National | Leader of the Nationals in the Senate Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Water |
Barnaby Joyce Barnaby Joyce Barnaby Thomas Gerald Joyce , Australian politician, has been a National Party member of the Australian Senate representing the state of Queensland since July 2005... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Finance, Deregulation and Debt Reduction Chairman, Coalition Policy Development Committee |
Andrew Robb Andrew Robb Andrew John Robb AO , Australian politician and former federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Goldstein, Victoria for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election.Robb, one of nine children, was... |
MP |
| National | Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources | Ian Macfarlane Ian Macfarlane (politician) Ian Elgin Macfarlane , is an Australian politician. He was elected as a member of the Australian House of Representatives in October 1998, representing the Division of Groom, Queensland for the Liberal National Party... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Defence | David Johnston David Johnston (politician) David Albert Lloyd Johnston , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 2002, representing the state of Western Australia. Johnston was born in Perth and was educated at University of Western Australia, where he graduated in law... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband | Malcolm Turnbull Malcolm Turnbull Malcolm Bligh Turnbull is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2004, and was Leader of the Opposition and parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party from 16 September 2008 to 1 December 2009.Turnbull has represented the Division... |
MP |
| National | Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing | Peter Dutton Peter Dutton Peter Craig Dutton MP , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Dickson, Queensland... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services | Kevin Andrews Kevin Andrews (Australian politician) Kevin James Andrews is an Australian politician and member of the Liberal Party of Australia. He is a member of the House of Representatives and was Minister for Immigration and Citizenship in the Howard Government, having previously been Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations from 7... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage | Greg Hunt Greg Hunt Gregory Andrew Hunt , an Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Flinders, Victoria.... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Productivity and Population, Immigration and Citizenship | Scott Morrison Scott Morrison (politician) Scott John Morrison is a member of the Australian House of Representatives, and is a member of the Liberal Party of Australia. He is the shadow immigration minister, and represents the Division of Cook, an electorate in the southern suburbs of Sydney, which include Cronulla, Caringbah, and Miranda... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science | Sophie Mirabella Sophie Mirabella Sophie Mirabella is an Australian federal politician. She has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2001, representing the Division of Indi, Victoria... |
MP |
| National | Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security | John Cobb | MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs | Bruce Billson Bruce Billson Bruce Frederick Billson MP is an Australian politician and Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since 1996. He represents the Division of Dunkley, Victoria.... |
MP |
Other Shadow Ministers
| Party | Portfolio | Shadow Minister | House |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Tourism Shadow Minister for Regional Development |
Bob Baldwin Bob Baldwin Robert Charles "Bob" Baldwin , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1996 to October 1998 and again since November 2001, representing theDivision of Paterson in New South Wales... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Assistant Treasurer Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation |
Mathias Cormann Mathias Cormann Mathias Hubert Paul Cormann is an Australian politician. He is a Liberal Party of Australia Senator for Western Australia, having been chosen by the Parliament of Western Australia on 19 June 2007 to fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Ian Campbell... |
Senator |
| National | Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport Shadow Minister for Regional Communications |
Luke Hartsuyker Luke Hartsuyker Luke Hartsuyker , Australian politician, has been a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Cowper, New South Wales. He is the current Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport as well as Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Employment Participation Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Childhood Learning |
Sussan Ley Sussan Ley Sussan Penelope Ley , Australian politician, has been a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Farrer, New South Wales.... |
MP |
| Liberal National | Shadow Minister for Universities and Research | Brett Mason Brett Mason Dr Brett John Mason , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 1999, representing the state of Queensland. He was the Parliamentary Secretary for Health.... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Indigenous Development and Employment Shadow Minister for Housing Shadow Minister for COAG |
Marise Payne Marise Payne Marise Ann Payne is an Australian politician. She is a Liberal Senator for the state of New South Wales. Senator Payne was appointed to the Senate on 9 April 1997, and elected in 2001 for a full term, and again in 2007.-Early life:... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary Sector Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate |
Mitch Fifield Mitch Fifield Mitchell Peter "Mitch" Fifield , Australian politician, is member of the Australian Senate since March 2004, representing the state of Victoria for the Liberal Party.-Early years:... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection | Michael Keenan Michael Keenan Michael Fayat Keenan , Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Stirling, Western Australia for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. He was educated at Murdoch University, Perth, the Australian National University, and... |
MP |
| Liberal National | Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel | Stuart Robert Stuart Robert Stuart Rowland Robert Australian politician, was elected the Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives seat of Fadden at the 2007 election on 24 November 2007, following the retirement of the previous member, the Hon David Jull... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs | Michael Ronaldson Michael Ronaldson Michael John Clyde Ronaldson is an Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 2005, representing the state of Victoria.... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Minister for Ageing Shadow Minister for Mental Health |
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells Concetta Fierravanti-Wells Concetta Anna Fierravanti-Wells , Australian politician, is a member of Australian Senate for the state of New South Wales... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Special Minister of State Shadow Minister for Seniors |
Bronwyn Bishop Bronwyn Bishop Bronwyn Kathleen Bishop , an Australian politician, is a Member of the Australian House of Representatives for the Liberal Party representing the Division of Mackellar, New South Wales since 1994... |
MP |
Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries
| Party | Portfolio | Shadow Minister | House |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Supporting Families |
Cory Bernardi Cory Bernardi Cory Bernardi is an Australian politician. He has been a Liberal Party member of the Australian Senate since 2006, representing the state of South Australia.-Early life:... |
Senator |
| Liberal National | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Settlement |
Teresa Gambaro | MP |
| National | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport | Darren Chester Darren Chester Darren Jeffrey Chester is an Australian politician. He is the National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives for the electoral division of Gippsland in Victoria. He was elected at the 2008 by-election caused by the resignation of Peter McGauran.Chester was born in the Victorian... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Materiel |
Gary Humphries Gary Humphries Gary John Joseph Humphries has been a member of the Australian Senate representing the Australian Capital Territory for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2003... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Tax Reform Deputy Chairman, Coalition Policy Development Committee |
Tony Smith | MP |
| National | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education | Fiona Nash Fiona Nash Fiona Joy Nash , Australian politician, has been a National Party of Australia member of the Australian Senate since 1 July 2005, representing the state of New South Wales.... |
Senator |
| Liberal National | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Defence Force and Defence Support |
Ian Macdonald Ian Macdonald (Australian politician) Ian Douglas Macdonald , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 1990, representing Queensland. He was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and was a solicitor before entering politics... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government | Don Randall Don Randall Donald James Randall , Australian politician, is a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives. He represented the Division of Swan, Western Australia, 1996–98, and has represented the Division of Canning, Western Australia, since November 2001. He was born in Merredin, Western... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray-Darling Basin Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Environment |
Simon Birmingham Simon Birmingham Simon John Birmingham is an Australian politician and Liberal Party member of the Australian Senate since 2007, representing South Australia.-Early life and career:... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Healthcare | Dr Andrew Southcott Andrew Southcott Andrew John Southcott MP is an Australian politician and medical practitioner. He has been the Liberal Party member for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Boothby, South Australia, since the 1996 election.-Early life:... |
MP |
| Liberal National | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health Services and Indigenous Health | Dr Andrew Laming Andrew Laming Andrew Charles Laming is an Australian politician who is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the Division of Bowman, Queensland, for the Liberal National Party of Queensland, having first won the seat at the 2004 federal election for the Liberal Party of Australia... |
MP |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration |
Michaelia Cash Michaelia Cash Michaelia Clare Cash is an Australian politician. She has been a Liberal Party member of the Australian Senate since July 2008, representing the state of Western Australia.Cash was first elected to parliament at the 2007 federal election... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry |
Richard Colbeck Richard Colbeck Richard Mansell Colbeck , Australian politician, is a Liberal member of the Australian Senate representing Tasmania. He was born in Myrtleford, Victoria, and was educated at Devonport Technical College. He was a Building estimator and supervisor, managing director and proprietor of a building... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Fair Competition | Scott Ryan Scott Ryan (Australian politician) Scott Michael Ryan is an Australian politician. He has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 2008, representing the state of Victoria.... |
Senator |
| Liberal | Chairman, Scrutiny of Government Waste Committee | Jamie Briggs Jamie Briggs Jamie Edward Briggs MP is an Australian politician. He has been the Liberal Party of Australia member for the Division of Mayo since the 2008 Mayo by-election.... |
MP |
Other positions
Shadow Cabinet Secretary: Philip RuddockPhilip Ruddock
Philip Maxwell Ruddock is an Australian politician who is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the Division of Berowra, New South Wales, for the Liberal Party of Australia...
MP
Chief Opposition Whip: Warren Entsch
Warren Entsch
Warren George Entsch is an Australian politician currently serving as a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives representing the Division of Leichhardt in Queensland...
MP
Opposition Whip: Patrick Secker
Patrick Secker
Patrick Damien Secker , Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Barker, South Australia....
MP
Deputy Opposition Whip: Nola Marino
Nola Marino
Nola Bethwynn Marino has been the Liberal Party of Australia representative for the electoral division of Forrest in Western Australia since the 2007 federal election.Marino was born in Harvey and established a small business in 1972....
MP
Previous Shadow Cabinets
- September 2008 to November 2009Shadow Cabinet (Australia) September 2008 to November 2009The Shadow Cabinet of Australia, also known as the Opposition Front Bench is a group of senior Opposition spokespeople who form an alternative cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government. Malcolm Turnbull defeated Brendan Nelson in the...
- December 2007 to September 2008Shadow Cabinet (Australia) December 2007 to September 2008Following the Labor Party's win, in the Australian 2007 federal election, the Liberal-National Coalition became the official Opposition. Brendan Nelson was elected Leader of the Liberal Party on 29 November 2007, and announced that his deputy Julie Bishop would be Shadow Minister for Workplace...
- December 2006 to November 2007Shadow Cabinet (Australia) December 2006 to November 2007The Shadow Cabinet of Australia between December 2006 and November 2007 was as follows.*Leader of the Opposition: Kevin Rudd*Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations and Social Inclusion: Julia Gillard...
- March 2005 to December 2006Shadow Cabinet (Australia) March 2005 to December 2006The Shadow Cabinet of Australia between March 2005 and 10 December 2006 was as follows.*Leader of the Opposition: Kim Beazley*Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Education, Training, Science and Research: Jenny Macklin...
- October 2004 to March 2005Shadow Cabinet (Australia) October 2004 to March 2005The Shadow Cabinet of Australia between October 2004 and March 2005 was as follows.*Leader of the Opposition: Mark Latham*Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Education, Training, Science and Research: Jenny Macklin...
- July 2004 to October 2004Shadow Cabinet (Australia) July 2004 to October 2004The Shadow Cabinet of Australia between July 2004 and October 2004 was as follows.*Leader of the Opposition Mark Latham*Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Employment, Education and Training Jenny Macklin...
See also
- Cabinet of AustraliaCabinet of AustraliaThe Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers of the Crown, responsible to parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister the Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, and serves at the former's pleasure. The strictly private...
- First Rudd MinistryFirst Rudd MinistryThe Rudd Ministry was the 65th Australian Commonwealth ministry. It was led by Kevin Rudd of the Australian Labor Party.The Ministry was sworn in by the 24th Governor-General of Australia Major-General Michael Jeffery on 3 December 2007, following the 2007 election, and it ended on 24 June 2010...
- Current Australian Commonwealth ministry
- New South Wales Shadow CabinetNew South Wales Shadow CabinetThe New South Wales Shadow Cabinet is the opposition to the incumbent Government in the State of New South Wales. The Shadow cabinet is made up of 15 members of the NSW Australian Labor Party caucus...
External links
- Parliament of Australia, Official current Shadow Ministry list
- Shadow Ministry, http://www.canberratimes.com.au/files/06/32/02/000023206/ShadowMinistry.pdf