WINNERS
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What were the main outcomes of Julia Gillard's cabinet reshuffle and who are the biggest winners?
The reshuffle promoted several ministers into new or expanded cabinet roles. Notable winners named in the article include Bill Shorten (promoted to Employment and Workplace Relations while retaining Financial Services and Superannuation), Greg Combet (gains Industry and Innovation and keeps Climate Change and Energy Efficiency), Nicola Roxon (appointed Australia’s first female Attorney‑General), Tanya Plibersek (promoted to Health Minister), Mark Butler (becomes Mental Health and Ageing Minister and Social Inclusion Minister), and Mark Arbib (appointed Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business). The article lists these as the key promotions and profiles their backgrounds.
How does Bill Shorten retaining the Financial Services and Superannuation portfolio affect investors and superannuation policy stability?
Because Bill Shorten retains responsibility for Financial Services and Superannuation while taking on Employment and Workplace Relations, the article suggests continuity at the top of those portfolios. For investors, that continuity can mean a steadier policy environment in areas directly tied to super funds, financial regulation and retirement policy — though the article does not detail specific measures or changes.
What does Greg Combet’s new responsibility for Industry and Innovation plus Climate Change and Energy Efficiency mean for clean energy and industrial sectors?
Greg Combet retains Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and has been given Industry and Innovation. The article notes he was rewarded for getting the carbon tax through Parliament. Investors in clean energy, energy efficiency and industry-related sectors may want to watch policy signals from his combined portfolios because they cover both climate policy and industry support, potentially shaping incentives and regulation for those industries.
Who is the new Attorney‑General and what implications could that have for legal and regulatory matters relevant to investors?
Nicola Roxon was appointed Attorney‑General and is described as a strong performer in health and well qualified for the role. While the article doesn’t outline specific regulatory changes, a new Attorney‑General can influence legal priorities and enforcement that affect corporate regulation, competition, and compliance — areas investors often monitor for risk and policy direction.
Which ministers now oversee health, mental health and ageing, and what should healthcare investors note from the reshuffle?
Tanya Plibersek was promoted to Health Minister and Mark Butler was promoted to the Mental Health and Ageing portfolio with added responsibility for Social Inclusion. The article highlights both as prominent figures in the Left and strong communicators. Healthcare and aged‑care investors should take note of the leadership change because ministerial focus and priorities can influence funding, reform initiatives and regulatory attention in these sectors.
What changes were made to treasury, small business and economic management roles that everyday investors should monitor?
Mark Arbib was named Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business (and Manager of Government Business in the Senate), while Wayne Swan remains Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer. The article presents Arbib’s appointment as a step toward greater prominence. Investors with interests in small business policy, tax settings or treasury regulation may want to monitor statements and policy moves from these ministers for potential impacts on business conditions and fiscal settings.
Were there notable demotions or portfolio shifts that could affect sectors like defence, manufacturing or housing?
Yes. Kim Carr experienced a clear demotion to Minister for Defence Materiel while keeping responsibility for manufacturing, and Robert McClelland moved from Attorney‑General to Minister for Emergency Management, Housing and Homelessness. The article frames Carr’s demotion as a reduction in profile and McClelland’s move as taking on a lower‑profile role. Investors focused on defence contractors, manufacturing and housing-related sectors may want to follow these ministers for changes in procurement, industry policy or housing programs.
Where can I find the full cabinet list and which senior portfolios were confirmed in the reshuffle?
The article provides a full cabinet list naming senior portfolios confirmed in the reshuffle. Highlights include Julia Gillard as Prime Minister; Wayne Swan as Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer; Chris Evans (Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Government leader in the Senate); Stephen Conroy (Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy); Kevin Rudd (Foreign Affairs); Stephen Smith (Defence); Greg Combet (Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Industry and Innovation); Bill Shorten (Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation); Tanya Plibersek (Health); and Mark Butler (Mental Health and Ageing, Social Inclusion). Investors can use this list to identify which ministers oversee portfolios that matter to their sectors.
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