Federal Labor and Tasmanian MP Julie Collins has been moved from the Housing portfolio to Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Collins will retain the Small Business portfolio and expressed her “great honour” in taking on the new role on Sunday.
“Agriculture plays a vital role in our country and our national economy continues to rely on a strong and diverse sector,” she said.
“I know firsthand that a place to call home is life changing, so it has been a great honour to serve as the Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness in a reforming Labor Government.”
Albanese praised Collins’s work as Housing Minister, saying she had done an “outstanding job”.
“Tasmania is of course a great centre of agriculture, it is one of the drivers of the Tasmania economy and Julie will bring that experience to the portfolio,” he said.
The change follow the announcement that Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor will retire from politics at the next election in 2025.
Clare O’Neil has been shifted from the Home Affairs portfolio to Housing and Homelessness, leading to Collins taking over the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry role from Murray Watt.
Watt will now be responsible for Employment and Workplace Relations, replacing Tony Burke, who will take on the Home Affairs portfolio from Andrew Giles.
Giles has been moved to Skills and Training, a position outside of the cabinet, while Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy will replace Burney as Indigenous Australians Minister.
Tasmanian Senator Carol Brown will step down from her responsibilities as Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport due to health issues.
