Former Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White has landed three assistant ministerial roles in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s reshuffled ministry, less than a month after entering federal politics.
White, who recently won the seat of Lyons at the federal election, will serve as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister for Women.
Unveiling his new-look team in Canberra today, Albanese described it as “a Caucus brimming with capacity, talent and energy in both the House of Representatives and the Senate”.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust that was put into my government with the election and we certainly won’t take it for granted,” he said.
White’s elevation follows a long career in state politics, where she led the Tasmanian Labor Party and held shadow portfolios including climate change, tourism and justice.
She now joins a growing Tasmanian Labor contingent in Canberra, alongside newly elected Bass MP Jess Teesdale and Braddon MP Anne Urquhart.
Franklin MP Julie Collins has held onto her role overseeing Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, a move welcomed by industry group Salmon Tasmania.
“We also acknowledge this comes after a strong swing to her in the recent election in Franklin, home to thousands of people who depend on the salmon industry and thousands more who clearly back the industry too,” a spokesperson said.
“We look forward to working closely with Minister Collins to support a strong and sustainable future of innovation and to ensure best practice in Australia’s aquaculture and fisheries.”
The body also extended an invitation to new Environment Minister Murray Watt, who replaces Tanya Plibersek, to “visit Tasmania and tour our world leading salmon aquaculture sites”.
