For the first time in Australian history, two Muslims have been sworn in as cabinet members. One is Sydney MP Ed Hughes and the other is Western Australian MP Dr Anne Alley.
Dr. Ally told news outlet SBS that she wants more women to follow in her footsteps.
Ed Hughes was elected the first Muslim MP in parliament in 2010.
He told SBS that his appointment was a symbolic moment to unite the country. This government reflects the representation of all communities in Australia and I think it is important.
At the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet, the Governor-General of Australia administered the oath to 30 ministers. They have 13 female members.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra that this was the largest number of women serving in the Australian cabinet.
Penny Wong and Claire O’Neill have been named Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Cyber Security. Katie Gallagher has been named Minister of Finance, Public Service and Women’s Affairs.
Tania Plivers has become Minister of Environment and Water.
Linda Barney is the first Indigenous woman to be sworn in as a minister for Indigenous Australians.
Malandiri McCarthy has been the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health.
Amanda Rishworth has been named Minister of Social Services. Ann Alley has taken charge of the ministry as Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth.
After the ministers were sworn in, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wanted to give Australia a government that deserves the courage, resilience, determination and sympathy of the Australian people.
After winning a landslide victory in the May 21 federal election, Labor leader and new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “My victory is a miracle of modern Australia’s multiculturalism.” In our multicultural society we count the world’s oldest living unbroken culture.
Australian political experts commented at the time that there would be many new surprises in the Albanian cabinet and in the federal administration. The announcement of the names of the cabinet members has shown that surprise.
