Linda Burney sworn in as Minister for Indigenous Australians

A woman of firsts, in 2003 she became the first Aboriginal person in NSW Parliament, in 2016 she was the first Aboriginal woman in Federal Parliament. Today, the Wiradjuri woman became the Minister for Indigenous Australians.

Linda burney

Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney becomes the first Aboriginal woman to hold the position of Minister for Indigenous Australians Source: Getty Images / NITV

Thirty members of Anthony Albanese's new ministry, which contains a record number of women, has been officially sworn in by Governor-General David Hurley at Government House in Canberra. 

The group contains the first female Muslim minister in Anne Aly and the first Muslim to serve in cabinet with Ed Husic joining the frontbench. .
Linda Burney becomes the first Aboriginal woman, and the second First Nations person, to serve as Indigenous affairs minister and will take the lead on enshrining a voice to parliament in Australia's constitution.
Linda Burney
Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney being sworn in as Minister for Indigenous Australians. Source: Getty Images
Mr Albanese says he is proud to lead "an inclusive government that is as diverse as Australia itself".

The major cabinet shakeup by Mr Albanese had some questioning the shift of more senior MPs, after Tanya Plibersek was stripped of the education and women portfolios and moved to environment and water.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles defended the move, saying the environment ministry could not be characterised as a demotion, with the area front and centre of Labor's priorities.

"It's one of the most important ministries we have got which has been an enduring passion for Tanya Plibersek," he told the Nine Network on Wednesday.

"It's always been a very senior portfolio in government, particularly Labor governments."
Thirteen women were appointed to a ministerial role with a record 10 in the cabinet.

Mr Marles defended not going with a 50-50 gender split in cabinet.

"It's a significant moment in the nation's history," he told the ABC ahead of the swearing-in.

"We have women of enormous calibre in the most senior roles who are going to play a critical part in shaping the policy of this government and the character of this government."

The new minister for aged care and sport Anika Wells, who will sit in the outer ministry, says she will implement Labor's key promises.

"I'm very conscious that that is our task and we're on it to do and to start doing as quickly as we possibly can because people are waiting every day," she told the ABC.

"We have to deliver what we've committed to, which is things like registered nurses on site 24/7. It's astonishing to me that that doesn't already happen."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP
Mr Albanese announced his cabinet on Tuesday night, with a balance of new faces and MPs who served in the previous Labor government.

"This is the largest number of women who have ever served in an Australian cabinet," he said at the time.

"We have an overflow of talent on our side of the parliament ... it's the most experienced incoming Labor government in our history since federation."
The swearing in coincides with Labor securing 77 seats in the House of Representatives, after the marginal seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast was called for incumbent Fiona Phillips.

While some MPs retained their portfolios from when Labor was in opposition, there was a shakeup in some key areas.

Mr Marles will double as the new defence minister while education will be held by Jason Clare, and Clare O'Neil will take on home affairs.

Mark Butler will be in charge of health, Tony Burke the minister for employment and the arts, while Chris Bowen will be climate change and energy minister.
Pat Dodson Wik Vis Queensland
Senator Patrick Dodson, known as the 'Father of Reconciliation'. Source: NITV
Ms Burney will work alongside Pat Dodson, who was named a special envoy for reconciliation and implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

New faces to the frontbench include Ms Wells, Anne Aly in early childhood and youth, and Kristy McBain in regional development, local government and territories.

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4 min read
Published 1 June 2022 11:53am
Updated 1 June 2022 12:10pm
Source: AAP


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