I am pleased to announce the following changes to the Coalition's Shadow Ministry.
The Hon. David Coleman MP will take on the role of Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs. David has made an outstanding policy contribution as our Shadow Minister for Communications and he has the intellect, temperament, and vision, to take on this important portfolio responsibility.
A former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs and a highly-experienced parliamentarian, David will take on this role with his customary diligence, astute policy mind, and diplomatic skill. I look forward to working with him.
Mrs Melissa McIntosh is promoted to the Shadow Cabinet and will take on the role of Shadow Minister for Communications.
Mel has made an enormous contribution since her elevation to the Shadow Ministry last year, and I am pleased to welcome her into the Shadow Cabinet where she will continue to take the fight up to the Government on key policy areas.
Mel maintains her portfolio responsibilities as Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, which is now a Shadow Cabinet position, and which highlights the importance of this region to the economic wellbeing of our nation - but a region which has been ignored by the Albanese Labor Government.
I am delighted to welcome Senator Claire Chandler into the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy and Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts. Claire is a passionate Tasmanian who has been a proven contributor to the Coalition team.
At a time when government services are going backwards under Labor, Claire's strong policy mind and political advocacy will ensure government services get to those who need it. I am pleased to promote her to the Shadow Cabinet in these key portfolio areas.
In addition to her current role as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will assume the new role of Shadow Minister for Government Efficiency.
With Australians sick of the wasteful spending that is out of control under the Albanese Government - be it the 36,000 additional Canberra public servants employed under this government, or the flagrant waste of $450 million on the divisive Voice referendum - in this new role, Jacinta will be looking closely at how we can achieve a more efficient use of taxpayers' money, where possible, at a time when a major cause of homegrown inflation is rapid and unrestrained government spending. Jacinta's outstanding contribution to the Coalition message will stand her in good stead for this new position.
Mr Tony Pasin MP joins the Shadow Ministry and takes on the role of Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Whilst the Prime Minister yesterday described himself as "an infrastructure nerd", his Government has actually presided over $30 billion worth of infrastructure cuts, delays, and cancellations. Tony will work closely with Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie to ensure that our communities have the world-class infrastructure that all Australians need and deserve.
Mr Julian Leeser MP will take on the position of Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs. Julian has been a staunch defender of our traditional allies, and a powerhouse of support for Australia's Jewish community. He will work closely with the Hon. David Coleman MP in this new role, and I know he will provide the moral clarity and courage in foreign and international affairs for which he is already well-known and admired.
Senator Matt O'Sullivan will join the outer Shadow Ministry as the Shadow Assistant Minister for Education. Matt has been a strong contributor as a Senator for Western Australia and I am pleased to promote him to this new portfolio role. Matt will work closely with Senator the Hon. Sarah Henderson on our education policies at a time when the Government is presiding over a continued decline in school education standards.
In addition to her existing Shadow Ministry responsibilities as Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence, Senator Kerrynne Liddle will take on additional responsibilities as the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Health Services and will be at the forefront of policy development to ensure that our policies keep our kids and our families safe, and make a practical difference for Indigenous Australians.
Mr Ted O'Brien MP adds Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability and Reliability to his current portfolio responsibilities, and he will continue his fine work on selling the Coalition's visionary policy for emissions-free nuclear energy. Ted will continue his indefatigable prosecution of our Coalition plan for cheaper, consistent, and cleaner power, compared to Labor's energy policy trainwreck and their broken promise of a $275 reduction to Australians' power bills.
The Hon. Michael Sukkar MP assumes the role of Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives and I look forward to him taking on this position - armed with his respect for our parliamentary systems and processes, and his shrewd knowledge of the workings of the Parliament.
I am pleased to also welcome Senator James Paterson to the Coalition's Leadership Group. His outstanding portfolio work, and his leadership and influence in delivering the Coalition's message will be critical as we head to the next election.
These appointments are excellent additions to the Coalition's strong, experienced, and united team. The Coalition under my leadership will continue focussing on the policy issues that matter.
We have a Prime Minister who spent the first part of this term distracted by his signature domestic policy - the divisive $450 million Voice referendum - and, since then, he has failed to address the cost of living crisis faced by Australians.
As we saw yesterday at his National Press Club speech - an address replete with delusion and denial - Mr Albanese is failing all the tests of leadership that Australians expect of their prime minister. He has his priorities all wrong.
The Coalition, on the other hand, will continue to deliver the positive plans and policies for the future of our great country.
A Dutton Coalition Government will get our country back on track, and the appointments I announce today further strengthen our Coalition team as we approach the forthcoming election.
The updated Coalition Shadow Ministry list is available here .
