Federal Politics 2025: Labor’s new-look frontbench all smiles as Prime Minister swears in new ministry

Factional quarrels were put on the back burner for a few hours on Tuesday morning, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn swore in the new-look Labor Government.

Mr Albanese tendered his resignation to the Governor-General, as is protocol, before he was re-sworn in to recommend and ultimately announce his new ministry.

Families mingled before frontbenchers and assistant-ministers took their oaths at Government House, where any ill-will caused by the “gratuitous” dumping of Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus from the cabinet was parked at the door.

There was some subliminal messaging, perhaps, in the size of the bibles of rival faction heavyweights. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, from the NSW Right, took his oath on a 160-year-old sizeable family heirloom, while Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles —whose elevation of ally Sam Rae came at the cost of Mr Dreyfus’ frontbench career — swore on a pocket-sized book.

New Communications Minister Annika Wells’ son stole the show as she was called up, when the Queensland Maroons footy he was kicking — “flat”, according to the PM — rolled into the room.

Governor Mostyn invited him, his brother and sister, along with Ms Wells’ husband into the room to watch her be sworn in from “the best seat in the house”.

Ms Wells takes the role over from Michelle Rowland, who has been promoted to Attorney-General.

In a statement, Ms Rowland paid tribute to her predecessor Mr Dreyfus, saying she would “build on” his work.

“It says everything that is great about Australia that a girl from Western Sydney can study hard, work hard, and become the First Law Officer of the land.”

Tanya Plibersek was all smiles as she became Social Services Minister, as was Murray Watt who has been appointed Environment Minister in her place.

Tim Ayres and Anne Aly were sworn into Cabinet, while Mr Rae, Jess Walsh, and Daniel Mulino were appointed to the Executive Council and sworn in as ministers.

Andrew Charlton, Rebecca White, Nita Green and Peter Khalil were also appointed to the Executive Council as assistant ministers.

Back at Parliament House, Mr Albanese presided over the first ministry meeting of the 48th Parliament, telling his colleagues it was “important that we repay the faith and trust that’s been placed in us on the 3rd of May”.

“We are ahead at this point in 94 electorates — there is a possibility of a 95th,” he said.

“But what’s clear is that we represent the largest caucus of Labor members in Australian history since Federation. And that’s because of the discipline and focus that we showed in our first term.

“We had a clear plan… We put forward a positive agenda in the election campaign. Our job is to go through every single one of our commitments and deliver on them, and that’s what I expect ministers to do over the coming years.

“We have an incredible honour of representing the best country on Earth.”

He said the first item on the agenda was about the minimum wage, coming from the new Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth.

“We’re here to make a difference. And that’s why our focus has to be, always, not on what happens in this room, not on what happens within our great party — as much as we’re proud of it. Each and every day is about the people who we represent and who we seek to represent going forward,” he said.