Politics

Australia’s diverse cabinet with record 10 women sworn in

Sydney, Australia, June 1 (EFE).- The 22-member Australian cabinet took oath on Wednesday, with Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it a diverse team that includes religious minorities, Indigenous Aboriginals, and a record number of women.

The cabinet members include Malaysian-born Penny Wong as the foreign minister and Aboriginal Linda Burney as indigenous affairs minister.

Ed Husic, appointed minister for industry and science, became the first Muslim to serve in an Australian cabinet.

Anne Aly also became Australia’s first female Muslim minister with her appointment as head of early education and youth – one of the six ministerial portfolios outside the cabinet.

Albanese’s team also comprises Richard Marles, the deputy prime minister and defense minister, as well as, Jim Chalmers as treasurer, and Kathy Gallagher as minister of finance, public services and women.

The center-left Labor Party, which returns to power after nine years in opposition, also has Don Farrell as trade and tourism minister.

Clare O’Neill was given home affairs, and Mark Dreyfus will serve as the attorney general.

Meanwhile, Chris Bowen and Tanya Plibersek take the charge of climate change and energy and environment and water, respectively.

Albanese, 59, and three other ministers were sworn-in two days after May 21 general elections to allow him and Foreign Minister Wong to attend a summit of the leaders of the Quad alliance of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

Australian Electoral Commission indicates in its preliminary results that the center-left Labor Party has won 76 seats, gaining the absolute majority in the 151-member house.

The tally might go up by one more seat as counting continues on two closely contested constituencies.

Meanwhile, the right-wing Liberal-National coalition has secured 57 seats and may add another. EFE

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