The Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced changes to the Ministry and the Cabinet, including to key portfolios related to diversity in the workplace.
Nareen Young, DCA’s CEO congratulated the government on its new Ministry and Cabinet:
“We are delighted to see the new Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, appointed as he has a strong track record in diversity, in particular for people with a disability. In this regard, the government’s commitment to disability reform is to be applauded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme now under the new Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin.
“The continuation of the role of Minister for Indigenous Employment under Julie Collins is welcome, and we look forward to working with her closely as the new Minister for the Status of Women.
"We commend the government for appointing Australia's first female Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, and increasing the number of women in Cabinet to five,” said Nareen.
In the government's announcement today, the following changes were made:
- The Education, Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio will be led by two Cabinet Ministers. Bill Shorten will be appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. To support the strong focus in the new Ministry on Australian industry, particularly the manufacturing sector, Kim Carr will be appointed Minister for Manufacturing.
- Jenny Macklin will remain the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs but will also be sworn as the Minister for Disability Reform, with a lead role in building the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
- Julie Collins will be elevated to the Ministry and appointed Minister for Community Services, Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for the Status of Women.
- Former Minister for Human Services, Tanya Plibersek, will be the Minister for Health, where she will be supported by Mark Butler who will retain responsibility for Mental Health and Ageing with responsibility for Social Inclusion.
- Nicola Roxon will be appointed as the nation’s first female Attorney-General.
For full details on these and other changes, visit: http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/changes-ministry.
