Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Unveils Minister For Cyber Security

Albanese appoints Victorian MP Clare O’Neil as Minister for Cyber Security.

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Prime Minister Albanese announced Clare O’Neil as the minister for home affairs, and the minister for cyber security at a press conference.

Former Minister Karen Andrews is the successor to Minister O’Neil, who also a supporter of much of the government’s previous cyber security policy as the home affairs minister.

Albanese announced his first ministry late Tuesday afternoon. New ministers were also appointed in the communications and government services portfolios.

While the former government didn’t have a separate cyber security minister, Prime Minister Albanese confirmed that Minister O’Neil would now be joining him in cabinet.

Richard Marles, the Deputy Prime Minister, has been appointed the new defence minister, replacing Peter Dutton.

Other appointments

Tim Watts

Watts was Shadow Assistant Minister for Cyber Security and Communications for three years and will now be Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Michelle Rowland

After more than five years of service as Shadow Minister for Communications for NSW, Rowland will now be Minister for Communications. Now, she will be responsible for implementing Labor’s NBN-related promises.

Ed Husic

Husic, the Former Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation will become the Minister for Industry, which had also largely been expected given his advocacy for the sector over the years.

Bill Shorten

Shorten will also continue in what has until now been a shadow ministry role as the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Minister for Government Services. Shorten will be the Minister for Government Services and oversee the government’s digital agency.

Brendan O’Connor

O’Connor has been appointed Minister for Skills and Training, which will likely see him take responsibility for Labor’s pledge to create 340,000 new tech jobs by 2030

Ministerial appointments across the defence and national security portfolios

Pat Conroy will serve as the minister for defence industry and the minister for international development and the Pacific
Ed Husic will be the minister for industry and science;
Matt Keogh as the minister for veterans’ affairs and the minister for defence personnel
Matt Thistlethwaite, minister for defence and the assistant minister for veterans’ affairs

The announcement of the Albanese government’s ministry comes just a day after Peter Dutton was elected unopposed as leader of the federal Liberal Party alongside deputy leader Sussan Ley.