TEAM 2012

BILL SHORTEN

Promoted to cabinet as Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, retains Financial Services and Superannuation.

Arguably the biggest winner. One of the governments best communicators, this power broker of the Victorian Right is hugely ambitious, but outspoken in his loyalty to Gillard.

GREG COMBET

Gains Industry and Innovation and retains Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

The former ACTU secretary, member of the Left and future leadership contender rewarded for getting the carbon tax through the Parliament.

NICOLA ROXON

Becomes the nations first female Attorney-General. Strong performer in health, she is well-qualified for the job of first law officer and deserving of promotion.

A member of the Victorian Right who is not known as a factional player.

TANYA PLIBERSEK

Promoted to cabinet as Health Minister.

Prominent Left figure from Sydney, cut-through communicator and regular on the ABCs Q&A. Wins her third promotion in four years.

MARK BUTLER

Promoted to cabinet as the Mental Health and Ageing Minister, with additional responsibility as Social Inclusion Minister.

Another who has made an impact since being elected in 2007. A former union official from the Left in South Australia with honours degrees in law, arts and international relations.

JULIE COLLINS

Elevated to the ministry as Minister for Community Services, Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for the Status of Women.

Another fresh face, this Tasmanian left-winger has been rewarded for a solid performance as a parliamentary secretary.

MARK ARBIB

Becomes Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Small Business and Manager of Government Business in the Senate and retains the Sport portfolio.

One of the faceless men from who brought down Kevin Rudd takes another step towards being a serious politician. Critics will question whether it is more a reward for loyalty than runs on the policy board.

JASON CLARE

Becomes Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice. From the NSW Right, he showed his skills as a communicator during the ALP national conference.

BRENDAN OCONNOR

Appointed as Minister for Human Services and Minister Assisting for School Education after being responsible for dealing with asylum seeker boat arrivals. A close friend of Gillard since university days and member of the Left.

LOSERS

ROBERT McCLELLAND

Moves from being Attorney-General to become Minister for Emergency Management and Minister for Housing and Homelessness.

This NSW right-winger keeps his seat, assumes a lower profile role. Another who has

struggled to inflict damage on the Opposition.

KIM CARR

The only clear demotion, yet he keeps responsibility for manufacturing and becomes

Minister for Defence Materiel.

This stalwart of the Victorian Left backed the change to Gillard. His demotion invites the conclusion that he has been punished for associating with Rudd and/or failing to make an impact in the media.

CHRIS EVANS

Moves from the high-profile workplace portfolio, retains Tertiary Education and Skills

and gains Science and Research.

A West Australian from the Left who is stronger on policy than communication.

THE FULL CABINET

Julia Gillard: Prime Minister

Wayne Swan: Deputy Prime Minister, Treasurer

Chris Evans: Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research Government leader in the Senate.

Stephen Conroy: Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Minister Assisting Prime Minister on Digital Productivity, Deputy Leader of government in the Senate.

Simon Crean: Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Arts

Kevin Rudd: Foreign Affairs

Stephen Smith: Defence, deputy leader of the house

Chris Bowen: Immigration and Citizenship

Anthony Albanese: Infrastructure and Transport, Leader of the house.

Nicola Roxon: Attorney-General

Jenny Macklin: Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Disability Reform

Tony Burke: Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Penny Wong: Finance and Deregulation

Peter Garrett: School Education, Early Childhood and Youth

Robert McClelland: Housing, Homelessness, Emergency Management, vice-president of the Executive Council.

Joe Ludwig: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister Assisting on Queensland Flood Recovery.

Martin Ferguson: Resources and Energy, Tourism.

Craig Emerson: Trade

Greg Combet: Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Industry and Innovation.

Tanya Plibersek: Health

Bill Shorten: Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation.

Mark Butler: Mental health and Ageing, Social Inclusion.