Below are details of changes in the Federal Ministry (and the full Ministry can be seen here).
Of note: Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is now in Cabinet as Minister for Indigenous Australians, and her previous role as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health has been given to a non-Indigenous MP, Ged Kearney, who also remains in her previous role as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.
On other public health-related matters, Senator Jenny McAllister is Minister for Cities and Minister for Emergency Management, Clare O’Neil is Minister for Housing and for Homelessness, and Peter Khalil is Special Envoy for Social Cohesion.
Meanwhile, Andrew Charlton is Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience. Policies relevant to the digital platforms, which have such profound and wide-ranging impacts upon our health and wellbeing, are spread across multiple portfolios.
Cabinet changes
Tony Burke MP – Minister for Home Affairs; Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Minister for Cyber Security; Minister for the Arts; Leader of the House
Julie Collins MP – Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Minister for Small Business
Senator Murray Watt – Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Clare O’Neil MP – Minister for Housing; Minister for Homelessness
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy – Minister for Indigenous Australians
Pat Conroy MP – Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery; Minister for International Development and the Pacific
Ministry changes
Andrew Giles MP – Minister for Skills and Training
Senator Jenny McAllister – Minister for Cities; Minister for Emergency Management
Assistant Ministry changes
Matt Thistlethwaite MP – Assistant Minister for Immigration
Patrick Gorman MP – Assistant to the Prime Minister; Assistant Minister for the Public Service; Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General
Ged Kearney MP – Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care; Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health
Senator Tim Ayres – Assistant Minister for a Future Made In Australia; Assistant Minister for Trade
Senator Anthony Chisholm – Assistant Minister for Education; Assistant Minister for Regional Development; Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Kate Thwaites MP – Assistant Minister for Social Security; Assistant Minister for Ageing; Assistant Minister for Women
Josh Wilson MP – Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Julian Hill MP – Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
Special Envoy changes
Peter Khalil MP – Special Envoy for Social Cohesion
Luke Gosling MP – Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia
Andrew Charlton MP – Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience
Commentary on the changes
Statement: Commissioner Katie Kiss welcomes Malarndirri McCarthy as new Minister for Indigenous Australians
Commissioner Kiss said: “Senator McCarthy’s considerable experience in both Federal and Northern Territory politics – especially as Federal Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health – places her in an ideal position to take on this new role.
“Senator McCarthy has a comprehensive understanding of the issues which affect the lives of First Nations people and has demonstrated her ability to work effectively with relevant individuals, communities, agencies and organisations.
“As a highly experienced journalist in her early career, Senator McCarthy will also be adept at communicating with people on the many complex issues and policy responses which impact on First Nations people and communities.”
Statement by Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Australia congratulates Yanyuwa Garrawa woman Senator Malarndirri McCarthy on her appointment as Minister for Indigenous Australians.
“Senator McCarthy brings a unique and strong mix of political, media, cultural, and life experience to this key position,” Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine said.
“She has long encouraged all Australians to embark on the journey of reconciliation and consider how to work together to create a reconciled country that takes pride in 65,000+ years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and connection to Country.
“Her decades in public life show her strength and depth of understanding of issues when dealing both with communities and with the highest levels of government.
“Senator McCarthy played a core role in the ALP becoming the first political party to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
“As the third Indigenous person to hold this Ministry, we look forward to continuing a strong relationship with Senator McCarthy as we work together in advancing reconciliation and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Statement by NAATSIHWP (31 July)
The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) , would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Honourable Linda Burney MP.
Over the course of her career, Ms Burney has worked tirelessly to improve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander outcomes. She is a vocal proponent of self-determined development, and we thank her for her ongoing commitment to closing the gap through holistic policy reform.
As the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, she is a courageous and inspiring trailblazer who has paved the way for many young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women leaders to come.
As Minister for Indigenous Australians, she delivered on her promise to progress a referendum to change the constitution and establish a First Nations Voice to Parliament. While the outcome of the referendum was devastating, we thank her for her commitment to Makarrata and express our deep admiration for her ability to face all disappointments with grace and dignity.
NAATSIHWP would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Senator Malarndirri McCarthy who has been appointed as Minister for Indigenous Australians.
Much like her predecessor, Minister McCarthy is an outstanding leader who will no doubt carry forward the demands of this role with ease and determination.
We also welcome the Honourable Ged Kearney MP into her new role as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health. We look forward to working with Minister McCarthy and Assistant Minister Kearney in advancing the development of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners across the nation.
ABC: Malarndirri McCarthy’s rise from TV journalist to federal Indigenous Australians minister
Dr Ali Drummond, CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), told Croakey:
“Ged Kearney has been an informed and engaged Assistant Minister for Health, demonstrating leadership during significant reform.
“As a nurse, she is a strong advocate for nursing and midwifery.
“CATSINaM looks forward to working with the Minister more closely to grow and advance our workforce, driving better health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Previously at Croakey: Linda Burney: “It’s time for me to pass the baton onto the next generation”
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