Image: Credit Bianca De Marchi/AAP
The new Liberal leader Angus Taylor has announced his frontbench in Sydney, saying: “This is a team that blends proven experience with the next generation of Coalition talent.”
“The team is designed to do two key things. One, prosecute Labor’s failures … and two, ensure the Coalition is ready to govern and change Australia for the better.”
Notably, the Nationals have been brought back into the shadow cabinet, after a brief split of the coalition. The National’s split with the Liberals helped end Ley’s leadership, but Taylor said Tuesday’s announcement signalled a “strong reset” in the relationship.
It’s only been a few days since winning the top job in a leadership spill, and Taylor has promised that his new shadow ministry would improve living standards and “protect” Australia’s way of life. He replaces Sussan Ley, only nine months after she made history as the first woman in the role, with Taylor winning 34 votes to Ley’s 17.
Tim Wilson has been given the treasury portfolio, and has started the appointment by pointing out the cost-of-living crisis impacting people around the country. The shadow minister says the government is responsible for the issue impacting families and small businesses.
“We’re going to do everything we can over the next two years … so that you see the pathway forward and that you want to see a change of government,” Wilson says. “The pathway forward for achieving economic hope in Australia is a change of government and the end of the Albanese government. We are going to deliver that,” he says.
The deputy Liberal leader, Senator Jane Hume, has chosen the employment and industrial relations portfolio, and will lead the party’s economic team alongside Wilson. Tasmanian conservative Claire Chandler is taking on the finance portfolio. Andrew Hastie has taken on the new industry and sovereign capability portfolio, and was appointed deputy leader in the House of Representatives.
Taylor has also rewarded key backers, with Sarah Henderson given the communications portfolio and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to be shadow minister for skills and training.
