Sussan Ley shadow cabinet : Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals Leader David Littleproud have announced their new shadow cabinet, just days after re-signing the Coalition agreement following a highly publicized rift between the Liberal and National parties.
Ted O’Brien, Ley’s deputy from the Liberal Party, has been appointed as the new shadow treasurer, replacing Angus Taylor after his unsuccessful leadership bid. Newly elected Goldstein MP Tim Wilson has made a swift entry into the shadow cabinet, taking charge of industrial relations, employment, and small business.
Angus Taylor has been reassigned as shadow defence minister, while fellow conservatives James Paterson and Andrew Hastie have secured key roles in finance and home affairs respectively — though reports suggest Hastie had been aiming for a financial or social portfolio.
Meanwhile, Jane Hume is the biggest loser from the reshuffle, having gone from shadow finance minister and a prominent spokesperson during the election campaign to being left out of the opposition ministry entirely.
Hume appears to have paid the price for several gaffes during the election, having been the key driver of the Coalition’s aborted work-from-home policy and saying without evidence “Chinese spies” were volunteering for Labor just days before polling day.
As finance spokesperson, Hume also played a key role in determining the Coalition’s economic offering, which has been heavily criticised in the wake of its crushing election defeat.
These are challenging times, and having faced similar moments throughout my own parliamentary journey, I understand how difficult they can be,” Ley said.
However, I want to emphasise that Jane Hume is an incredibly talented and outstanding member of our team. She has made significant contributions throughout her political career and will continue to do so. She’s a strong performer with expertise across a wide range of policy areas.
New Shadow Cabinet Announced by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals Leader David Littleproud Following Coalition Agreement Renewal
Former education spokesperson Sarah Henderson has also been removed from the shadow ministry.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was another notable omission, shifted from the frontbench to the outer shadow ministry with responsibilities for defence industry and personnel.
Price had previously left the Nationals after the election to support Taylor as deputy leader, but ultimately did not contest the role after Ley secured the Liberal leadership.
One of the more surprising appointments was Gisele Kapterian, named assistant shadow minister for communications, despite only provisionally winning her seat of Bradfield by eight votes, with a recount currently underway.
Gisele’s appointment reflects our confidence in her and our commitment to the future of women in the party,” Ley said.
A conclusive outcome in the seat is not anticipated for several weeks.
Julian Leeser has been reinstated as shadow attorney-general after stepping down from the frontbench in 2023 to support the Voice to Parliament referendum. Michaelia Cash will serve as shadow foreign affairs minister, while Andrew Bragg has been assigned the housing portfolio.
Alex Hawke, a strong ally of former prime minister Scott Morrison and a key supporter of Sussan Ley’s leadership bid, has been rewarded with the industry and innovation portfolio and appointed as manager of opposition business.
The Nationals have secured a key economic role in the shadow ministry, with Pat Conaghan named as shadow assistant treasurer.
The announcement of the shadow ministry follows the signing of a renewed Coalition agreement between Sussan Ley and David Littleproud earlier today—just over a week after the Liberal and National parties had publicly parted ways.
Littleproud had previously declared the Nationals would not extend the agreement without firm commitments from the Liberals on four core policies: nuclear energy, supermarket divestiture powers, improved regional telecommunications, and a regional future fund.
Ted O’Brien Named Shadow Treasurer as Tim Wilson Joins Shadow Cabinet with Key Portfolios
However, Ley stated that Littleproud’s request to exclude the Nationals from shadow cabinet solidarity — a condition that several Nationals MPs claim was never discussed during the party room vote to break from the Coalition — was a non-starter for the Liberals.
Littleproud agreed to withdraw that demand last Thursday, prompting both parties to postpone their planned frontbench announcements. This delay allowed Ley to convene a meeting with Liberal MPs to reach a consensus on the Nationals’ key policy requests.
Questions hang over Nationals leader
Although the new agreement resolves the rift between the two parties, Littleproud is now facing internal criticism within the Nationals for the split and for not informing the party room about his request to be exempt from shadow cabinet solidarity.
Queensland MP Colin Boyce publicly accused Littleproud of misleading the party, stating that he “can’t support” his leadership.
Last week, former leader Michael McCormack, who played a key role in mending the party split, expressed support for Littleproud by saying he was “ambitious for him”—the same phrase then-treasurer Scott Morrison used about Malcolm Turnbull shortly before replacing him as prime minister.
McCormack, along with fellow former leader Barnaby Joyce, was removed from the shadow ministry. However, McCormack insisted he had no immediate plans to challenge Littleproud’s leadership.
Littleproud denied that the exclusion of the two seasoned MPs was retaliation for their criticism during the recent split, stating
When I took on the leadership three years ago, I made it clear that I aimed for generational change, but I also wanted to respect those who came before me and give them space to share their experience.
He also dismissed suggestions of internal unrest within the Nationals
I believe both former leaders deeply care about the party and its future. Our focus is on maintaining a united, honest, and cooperative team—one that isn’t afraid to be candid, and that’s a strength.
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