Shadow cabinet of Australia
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In Australian federal politics, theshadow cabinetis theopposition's equivalent to thefederal cabinet.It comprises the most senior figures within the opposition, headed by theleader of the oppositionas the counterpart to theprime minister of Australia.
The shadow cabinet is the highest level of the shadow ministry (or "oppositionfrontbench"), which also includes other less senior shadow ministers (equivalent to the government's" outer ministry ") and shadowassistant ministers.The members of the shadow ministry are assigned one or more portfolios, usually though not necessarily corresponding to an existingministerial portfoliowithin the government. They serve as the opposition's chief spokespeople on matters within their portfolio, and during parliamentaryquestion timemay direct questions at their government equivalent. If the opposition forms government, such as through winning afederal election,it is typical for members of the shadow ministry to retain the same portfolio.
The current shadow cabinet as of June 2022[update]is theDutton shadow cabinet.
Role and functions
[edit]According toBateman (2008),the shadow cabinet exists as a "recognised component of the parliamentary system" but "the functions, roles and practices of the Shadow Cabinet are far less clear than those of the Cabinet".[1]
The role of the shadow ministry in making opposition policy has varied.[2]
Meetings of shadow cabinet are less formal than actual cabinet meetings, typically lasting a shorter time.[3]
History
[edit]In May 1965, theAustralian Labor Party Caucusvoted to establish a formal shadow ministry of 25 members.[4]This replaced an earlier "opposition executive" consisting of 14 members.[5]
Since 1987, the shadow ministry has had at least as many members as the ministry, and sometimes more. Shadowparliamentary secretaries(known as shadow assistant ministers since 2016) were first appointed in 1990.[6]
Current arrangement
[edit]| Shadow Minister | Portfolio[7] | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter DuttonMP | 
| ||
| Sussan LeyMP |
|
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| SenatorJane Hume |
|
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| SenatorJacinta Nampijinpa Price |
|
| |
| SenatorSusan McDonald |
|
||
| Ted O'BrienMP |
|
||
| David LittleproudMP |
|
| |
| SenatorPerin Davey |
|
||
| SenatorJonathon Duniam |
|
| |
| SenatorSimon Birmingham |
|
| |
| Kevin HoganMP |
|
| |
| SenatorMichaelia Cash |
|
| |
| SenatorSarah Henderson |
|
| |
| Angus TaylorMP |
|
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| Paul FletcherMP |
|
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| Michael SukkarMP |
|
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| SenatorJames Paterson |
|
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| Dan TehanMP |
|
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| SenatorAnne Ruston |
|
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| SenatorBridget McKenzie |
|
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| David ColemanMP |
|
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| Andrew HastieMP |
|
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| Barnaby JoyceMP |
|
| |
Salary and benefits
[edit]As of July 2019[update],ordinary shadow ministers were entitled to either a 20 or 25 percent loading on top of the base parliamentary salary. The loading depends on the number of shadow ministers. Officeholders within the opposition receive higher loadings, up to 87 percent for the leader of the opposition.[8]Historically, ordinary shadow ministers received no additional salary compared tobackbenchersbut were granted an additional staffing allowance.[9]
See also
[edit]- Shadow Ministry of Peter Dutton
- Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
- Manager of Opposition Business in the House
- Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
References
[edit]- ^Bateman 2008,p. 1.
- ^Bateman 2008,p. 4.
- ^Bateman 2008,p. 24.
- ^Bateman 2008,p. 9.
- ^Bateman 2008,p. 10.
- ^"The (official) Opposition".House of Representatives Practice.Parliament of Australia.Retrieved18 July2020.
- ^"Shadow Ministry - The 47th Parliament".Australian Parliament House.Parliament of Australia.Retrieved18 June2022.
- ^"Salary".Department of Finance.Retrieved18 July2020.
- ^Bateman 2008,p. 7.
Sources
[edit]- Bateman, Joel (2008).In the shadows: the Shadow Cabinet in Australia(PDF).Australian Parliamentary Library.ISBN9780980655407.