HomeAUNew Opposition Leader Reveals Shadow Ministry with Exciting Promotions and Notable Comebacks

New Opposition Leader Reveals Shadow Ministry with Exciting Promotions and Notable Comebacks

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Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has announced a revamped shadow ministry, reinstating members of the Nationals and those previously sidelined.

Taylor introduced the refreshed frontbench as a “new beginning” for the Coalition, following a challenging period that included a temporary rift between the Nationals and Liberals, a leadership shake-up, and Sussan Ley losing her position.

“This team merges seasoned expertise with the fresh energy of the Coalition’s upcoming talent,” Taylor stated.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled his new shadow ministry this afternoon, bringing back the Nationals and exiled members.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled his new shadow ministry. (Nine)

He emphasized the return of the Nationals, who had resigned en masse in protest after Ley declined to reinstate three dismissed members.

Taylor highlighted this moment as a chance to leave past conflicts behind and move forward with a focus on “unity.”

The deputy leader, Jane Hume, has been chosen the shadow minister for employment and industrial relations, and shadow minister for productivity and deregulation portfolios.

She was also named the deputy Liberal leader in the Senate.

Ted O’Brien, the former deputy leader under Ley, has been appointed the new shadow foreign affairs minister.

Tim Wilson was appointed the shadow treasurer.

Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampjinpa Price, who were both exiled from the frontbench under Ley, have been promoted.

Hastie, who was rumoured to be a contender for the party leadership but did not run, was named the industry and sovereign capability spokesman and the deputy Liberal leader in the House of Representatives.

Price has been tasked as the spokeswoman for small business, skills and training.

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, who chairs the committee, said the government had only rejected two recommendations.
Andrew Hastie has returned. (AAP)

James Paterson, an outspoken supporter of Taylor in his bid for Liberal leadership, has been given the defence portfolio previously held by Taylor. 

Claire Chandler has been elevated as the new shadow finance minister. 

Sarah Henderson has also returned to the shadow cabinet for the communications and digital safety portfolio.

Michaelia Cash has been appointed the new shadow attorney-general, replacing one of Ley’s main supporters Andrew Wallace, and will remain the Leader in the Senate.

Andrew Bragg, another key backer of Ley, remains as the shadow housing and homelessness minister and was also given the shadow environment portfolio.

Nationals members Bridget McKenzie, Susan McDonald and Ross Cadell have returned to the shadow cabinet after they were dumped by Ley for breaking shadow cabinet solidarity rules and voting against the party line on the government’s hate laws in January.

Their sacking prompted a mass resignation of the entire Nationals frontbench, which saw the Coalition split for the second time in under a year. 

Nationals Senators Ross Cadell, Bridget McKenzie and Susan McDonald, pictured with colleague Matt Canavan, voted against the hate laws bill.
Nationals Senators Ross Cadell, Bridget McKenzie and Susan McDonald, pictured with colleague Matt Canavan, voted against the hate laws bill. (Alex Ellinghausen)

Julian Leeser, Melissa McIntosh, Dan Tehan, Dave Sharma, Anne Ruston, Aaron Violi, Henry Pike, Tony Pasin, Leah Blyth, Garth Hamilton, James McGrath and Simon Kennedy were also appointed to the shadow cabinet.

Taylor thanked the outgoing members of the shadow ministry for their service.

“We are fortunate to have talent in our party room and are committed to drawing all of it,” he said.

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