Plibersek’s new Ministry

By Simon Black

Member for the seat of Sydney, Tanya Plibersek, has been awarded with a new portfolio in Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s cabinet.

Ms Plibersek has been moved from her position as Housing Minister and Minister for Women’s Affairs to become the Minister for Human Services and the Minister for Social Inclusion.

Ms Plibersek told City News she was excited about the potential in the new position.

“It’s terrifically exciting, human services runs Medicare, and has more than 30 agencies,” she said.

“The combination of Social Inclusion and Human Services is terrific as well. We’ll be able to use the information gathered from Human Services to make Social Inclusion more effective.”

Speaking in Melbourne on Saturday Prime Minister Gillard praised Ms Plibersek’s performance in her previous portfolio.

“Tanya has done extraordinary work in her responsibility for housing. She will now move to this new challenge,” she said.

“She will continue to be a strong member of the Government team, and of course she is a woman with an extraordinary future.”

Ms Plibersek said the compliment did not mean she would ‘rest on her laurels’ but would work hard to live up to the position.

“I’m very grateful to the PM for what she said and for the trust she has placed in me and I’m excited about doing my very best for her, the Government and most importantly the Australian people.”

Ms Plibersek will take a brief period of maternity leave before returning to her duties.