Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryBy national affairs correspondent Jane NormanTopic:Political Leadership4h ago4 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:11amMark Dreyfus will no longer serve as attorney-general in Labor's new ministry. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)In short:Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Science and Industry Minster Ed Husic have been booted from Anthony Albanese's new ministry. Labor senators Tim Ayres and Jess Walsh — both from the left faction — will be promoted to the frontbench.What's next?Caucus is expected to sign off on the list of 30 frontbenchers on Friday. abc.net.au/news/mark-dreyfus-ed-husic-scrapped-from-new-albanese-ministry/105270328Link copiedShareShare articleTwo senior cabinet ministers have been dumped from Anthony Albanese's new-look ministry as factional heavyweights meet in Canberra to carve up the 30 frontbench positions.Science and Industry Minister Ed Husic has been pushed out because of an over-representation of New South Wales right, while Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has been dumped by the Victorian right to make way for second-term Labor MP Sam Rae.Fellow Victorian Daniel Mulino will also be promoted to the frontbench in the reshuffle.When asked at Canberra Airport on Thursday morning if there was a fight on for frontbench positions, Mr Dreyfus replied: "I'll have more to say next week."Federal politics live updates: Get the latest on the post-election election landscapeLive results: Find out what's happening in your seat as counting continuesMeanwhile, Labor senators Tim Ayres and Jess Walsh — both from the left faction — will be promoted to the frontbench, taking the two positions vacated by Stephen Jones and Bill Shorten, who retired at the election.Since Labor's emphatic victory on Saturday, factional bosses have been locked in negotiations over the composition of the frontbench, with states including Queensland and Victoria demanding greater ministerial representation, having boosted their ranks in Caucus.It’s the second time Ed Husic has been forced to stand aside to make way for another colleague. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is understood to be resisting calls to intervene to save Mr Husic and Mr Dreyfus, reminding colleagues of the collectivism at the heart of the party."Government brings with it responsibility and no individual is greater than the collective, and that includes myself," Mr Albanese told Sky News."We need to approach this term with humility to make sure we deliver on the commitments we made to the Australian people but also that we operate in a way that shows solidarity.More women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyThis week in politics a record number of women entered Labor's ranks, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price defected to the Liberals and two party rooms deliberated who their new leaders will be. "I can't have hoped for more support from my ministers, from my caucus, over the six years that I've been Labor leader."And that has enabled me to really focus outwardly. And that's when you're successful, when you're focused inwards, the electorate will mark you down."Former prime minister Paul Keating has been scathing of Mr Husic and Mr Dreyfus's demotions, saying it showed "poor judgement, unfairness and diminished respect for the contribution of others". "The factional displacement of … Mr Husic from the Albanese cabinet represents an appalling denial of Husic's diligence and application in bringing the core and emerging technologies of the digital age to the centre of Australian public policy," he said in a statement. Mr Keating said the prime minister had recently made "captain's calls" in other pre-selection ballots, and said his "non-intervention" in the case of Mr Husic was an endorsement of the Victorian Right faction led by Richard Marles."And to round out the day, the factional lightweights also dumped the cabinet's most effective and significant Jewish member, the attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus," he said.Election fallout and analysis:How Peter Dutton's campaign flew off a cliffWhat happened to the Greens vote in Victoria?ANALYSIS: The Coalition is split on nuclear after election lossWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenCaucus is expected to sign off on the list of 30 frontbenchers on Friday and from there, Mr Albanese will pick his cabinet and assign portfolios.Mr Husic — who was forced to stand aside from the ministry in 2019 for then-senator Kristina Keneally — is understood to have delivered the news to his staff late on Thursday afternoon.Earlier, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Labor had been blessed with a "good problem" of having too much talent and too many MPs to reward."We've got probably 50 or 60 people who've got a legitimate claim to be part of the 30 ministers and so that's a good problem to have," Mr Chalmers said.Mr Chalmers, who will keep his Treasury portfolio, also gave a resounding endorsement of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, who's expected to remain in the ministry but possibly with a new portfolio."Tanya Plibersek is an absolutely outstanding senior minister and I have no doubt she'll remain a senior minister," he said.Posted 4h ago4 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:11am, updated 2h ago2 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:39amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsPhoto shows A close up shot of a woman wearing a white blazer and black and white shirt.Conclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows Black smoke spewing from a chimney.Wrong warnings, panicked staff: Bondi inquest reveals timeline of confusionTopic:CrimePhoto shows Paramedics stand with stretches near vehicles on a road.Swiss tariff crisis meeting between China and US may come to naughtIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderPhoto shows A close up shot of Donald Trump looking at Xi Jinping.Popular nowSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:SoccerPhoto shows Two women smile as one holds an infant to her chestFormer Liberal MP Katie Allen announces diagnosis of rare cancerTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Woman sitting on a panel show smilingAccused killer Erin Patterson breaks down in court at daughter's testimonyTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Related topicsALPAustraliaAustralian Federal ElectionsFederal GovernmentPolitical LeadershipTop StoriesMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsConclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersWrong warnings, panicked staff: Bondi inquest reveals timeline of confusionTopic:CrimeSwiss tariff crisis meeting between China and US may come to naughtIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderJust InSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:Soccer40m ago40 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 11:52amPakistan says it has shot down 25 Indian attack dronesTopic:Unrest, Conflict and War44m ago44 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 11:48amMan walks free after fatally stabbing sister's boyfriend five timesTopic:Courts2h ago2 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:02amFormer Liberal MP Katie Allen announces diagnosis of rare cancerTopic:Government and Politics2h ago2 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:59amMore Just InBack to top