Albanese annouces new Cabinet amid backlash over demotions
- Anthony Albanese announced a new Cabinet after the Labor Party's election victory.
- Ed Husic and Mark Dreyfus were demoted, raising concerns about diversity and representation.
- The reshuffling reflects the Labor Party's internal factional dynamics and the implications of political criticism.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed his new Cabinet following a landslide election victory on May 3, 2025. As the center-left Labor Party was sworn back into power, Albanese highlighted the trust placed in his government as it expands to potentially hold between 92 and 95 seats in the House of Representatives. This marks the highest seat count for Labor since the first Parliament in 1901. After the announcement, there was considerable controversy surrounding the demotion of Ed Husic, the first minister sworn in on a Quran, and Mark Dreyfus, a Jewish former Attorney-General. Ed Husic accused the factional leaders of penalizing him due to his outspoken stance on Israel and its actions in Gaza. In response to Husic's comments, Albanese acknowledged the diversity within his Cabinet and the need for it to be respected without being silenced. The demotion of these ministers led to calls for clarification regarding the implications of their criticisms regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Bilal Rauf, advising the Australian National Imams Council, urged Albanese to explain whether Husic's removal was strictly due to his views on Gaza. Albanese's administration is also noted for featuring no Jewish Cabinet ministers for the first time since 2010. The reshuffling indicates the complex dynamics within the Labor Party, where ministerial portfolios are allocated by party leaders based on factional representation in Parliament, leaving some members feeling marginalized despite calls for inclusivity.