In a major shakeup ahead of this year’s federal election, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a reshuffle of his shadow ministry, headlined by the appointment of Indigenous Australians Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to a new “government efficiency” portfolio.
Modeled after the recently created US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk, Price’s role will focus on cracking down on what the Coalition sees as wasteful spending by the Albanese government, including on the “divisive Voice referendum.”
With Australians sick of the wasteful spending that is out of control under the Albanese government … Jacinta will be looking closely at how we can achieve a more efficient use of taxpayers’ money.
– Peter Dutton, Opposition Leader
Price, who will maintain her current responsibilities as shadow minister for Indigenous Australians, said the efficiency platform would “complement” her existing portfolio, noting the Coalition’s commitment to auditing Indigenous affairs expenditure.
Coleman Takes Foreign Affairs Reins
In another key move, former immigration minister David Coleman was tapped to replace the outgoing Simon Birmingham as shadow foreign minister, a coveted role that had attracted interest from several high-profile contenders.
Dutton praised Coleman’s “outstanding policy contribution” as shadow communications minister, saying he possessed the “intellect, temperament, and vision” for the important foreign affairs post.
Women Gain Ground
The reshuffle also saw four women elevated to new roles:
- Melissa McIntosh – promoted to shadow communications
- Claire Chandler – joins shadow cabinet with government services, digital economy, science and arts portfolios
- Senator Kerrynne Liddle – new shadow minister for Indigenous health services
- Existing shadow energy minister Teri O’Brien – adds energy affordability and reliability to current responsibilities
The promotions come on the heels of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese handing new roles to four female Labor frontbenchers last week in his own pre-election rejig triggered by the retirement of NDIS Minister Bill Shorten.
Dutton Slams PM’s Priorities
Unveiling the new lineup, Dutton took aim at Albanese’s leadership, accusing him of being “distracted” by the Voice referendum in his first term while failing to address cost of living pressures.
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. He has his priorities all wrong.
– Peter Dutton, Opposition Leader
The opposition leader vowed a Coalition government would “get our country back on track,” touting the shadow cabinet changes as strengthening his team’s position heading into the coming election battle.
With Australians expected to head to the polls in the second half of the year, Dutton will be hoping the frontbench revamp can help sharpen the Coalition’s attacks on the government and reverse Labor’s strong lead in opinion polls.
But with the Voice referendum looming as a major flashpoint, the appointment of Price, a fierce critic of the Indigenous recognition push, to a prominent new role may also inflame tensions in an already heated political climate.
As the opposition looks to make its case for a return to power just three years after its 2022 defeat, the coming months will test whether Dutton’s faith in his refreshed team can translate into a polling turnaround and a competitive election matchup against a first-term government.
