CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
The Albanese government’s front bench was officially sworn in by the Governor-General last night, with the Prime Minister revealing a few unexpected changes – in what is undeniably the most diverse Federal Cabinet in Australian political history.
Albanese said he wanted the ministry to be as reflective of Australia as possible, and has appointed a record number of women in, as well as Australia’s first Muslim ministers.
Tanya Plibersek has moved from the education and women’s portfolio to be Environment Minister, and the hospital pass of Minister for Home Affairs has been thrown to South-East Melbourne MP Clare O’Neil.
While 10 of the 23 cabinet positions are filled by women, it is still less than the 50-50 split that it was in Labor’s shadow cabinet. This may be a result of the Labor Party’s relentless factional sensitivities that has forced the Prime Minister to pick a ministry like a bride trying to organise a wedding seating plan with two sets of divorced in-laws.
Furthermore to this diverse list of both ministers and portfolios, Linda Burney MP has become the first Indigenous woman to become the Minister for Indigenous Australians, while the newly elected member for the Hunter Dan Repacholi MP has been named as the Minister For Bucks Parties.
The Bucks Parties portfolio is one of several newly formed government departments under Prime Minister Albanese, with responsibilities for accomodation, emergency management, quality control, accomodation, transport, and any diplomatic flare ups that may arise when 30 blokes head to one destination and drink as much piss as humanly possible.
Repacholi says he is honoured to be given the duty of helping Australian men tackle the logistical hurdles that come with toasting the honour of the groom and bride through a weekend of intense hedonism, followed by a week of grog horrors.
“It’s not a responsibility I take lightly” says Repacholi.
“And I’m well aware of the significance of receiving a cabinet position a week after being elected”
“For too long Australian men have had their AirBnB bookings for 30 blokes in one house at Airlie Beach rejected by the landlords, for too long Australian men have found themselves locked up in Balinese prisons for cultural misunderstandings”
“I am to change that. That’s what the Albanese government is about. A better future for Bucks Parties”
