Henderson appointed to Shadow Cabinet

GEELONG-based Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson has scored a promotion, named as one of the 10 women in the 24-strong Shadow Cabinet announced by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton today (Sunday, June 5).

Senator Henderson is the new Shadow Communications Minister, replacing Paul Fletcher, the former minister for communications, urban infrastructure, cities and the arts in the former Morrison government.

“What you’re seeing in this lineup is some fresh faces, we have incredible depth of talent,” Mr Dutton said this afternoon.

“Not just on the front bench, but on the back bench as well. I’m cognisant of trying to bring people through for an opportunity, and you will see that we have some very impressive appointments.”

Mr Dutton’s appointments of Liberals and Nationals to his full Shadow Ministry include (in no particular order):

• Angus Taylor – treasurer
• Barnaby Joyce – veterans affairs
• Alan Tudge – education
• Jane Hume – shadow finance minister
• Julian Leeser – attorney general and indigenous affairs
• Sussan Ley – industry, skills and training; shadow minister for women
• Marise Payne – cabinet secretary
• Karen Andrews – home affairs; child protection and prevention of family violence
• Michaelia Cash – employment and workplace relations
• Anne Ruston – health and aged care
• Andrew Hastie – defence
• David Littleproud – agriculture
• Senator Perin Davey – water resources and emergency management
• Senator Bridget McKenzie – infrastructure, transport, regional development
• Kevin Hogan – trade and tourism
• Senator Susan McDonald – resources and northern Australia
• Barnaby Joyce – veterans’ affairs
• Andrew Gee – regional health, regional education
• Michael McCormack – international development and the Pacific.

On the other side of Parliament, another Victorian-based MP, Ballarat Labor federal member Catherine King, was earlier re-appointed as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development (a portfolio she has held since 2019) and also gained the portfolio of Local Government in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first ministry.