Opposition leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a new shadow cabinet, with 10 of the total 24 positions filled by women.
Sussan Ley, the newly elected deputy Liberal Party leader, was given the shadow portfolios of industry, skills and training, small and family business, and women.
Anne Ruston has been assigned the shadow portfolios of health and aged care, while Jane Hume has been appointed shadow minister for finance.
Former foreign affair minister Marise Payne has agreed to take on the shadow cabinet secretary role but has not been assigned any other portfolio. It has been reported that Payne did not seek to attain a shadow portfolio.
Former attorney-general Michaelia Cash is the new shadow minister for employment and workplace relations, and Karen Andrews will take on the shadow home affairs portfolio, as well as child protection and prevention of family violence.
Sarah Henderson has been elevated to the position of shadow communications minister.
Nationals politicians have also been given some key roles, with Bridget McKenzie given the shadow infrastructure, transport, and regional development. Susan McDonald has been assigned shadow minister for resources, and new Nationals deputy leader Perin Davey has become shadow minister for water and emergency management.
Among the 24-member shadow cabinet, the Liberal party will hold 18 positions, with the Nationals making up the remaining 6 positions. Coalition leader Peter Dutton has demoted some key allies of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, including NSW MP Alex Hawke and former aged care minister, Stuart Robert.
Dutton’s appointment of 10 women to the shadow cabinet matches the new Albanese government’s cabinet, which has a record of 10 women in its 23-member cabinet.
Unlike the Labor government’s cabinet, the Coalition’s shadow cabinet is distinctly lacking in cultural diversity.
Other notable appointments to the shadow cabinet include Angus Taylor as the shadow treasurer, Barnaby Joyce as shadow minister for veterans’ affairs, Andrew Hastie as shadow minister for defence, Ted O’Brien as shadow minister for climate change and energy, and Julian Leeser as shadow attorney-general and Simon Birmingham as shadow minister for foreign affairs.