Nominations for the two positions within Labor’s Shadow Ministry made vacant by the retirement of Bernie Ripoll and Senator Jan McLucas have now closed.

 

Two nominations were received, from the Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers and from Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher.

 

Both are outstanding nominations and will be welcome new additions to Labor’s frontbench team.

 

The addition of Jim and Katy allow Labor to present our team for government to the Australian people, whenever the election may be.

 

Labor is ready for an election; ready to put forward our big ideas to the Australian people to judge.

 

Senator Katy Gallagher, the former Chief Minister of the ACT, brings a wealth of experience to the Labor team.

 

Katy replaced former ACT Senator and Labor Minister Kate Lundy and epitomises Labor’s core values through her relentless pursuit of quality health care and education for all Australians.

 

Dr Jim Chalmers was elected as the Member for Rankin in 2013 following the retirement of longstanding Labor member and former Minister, Craig Emerson.

 

Jim’s rise can be put down to his capacity for hard work and his determination to see Australia seize the opportunities of the future.

 

These two highly talented, highly intelligent individuals will bring new enthusiasm and ideas to Labor’s future focused agenda.

 

Labor will continue to do the hard work of opposition by putting our evidence-based, detailed, positive policies on the table.

 

Once again we acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Queenslanders, Bernie Ripoll and Senator Jan McLucas both in government and opposition over almost two decades.

 

The allocation of portfolios will be announced following the next Labor Caucus meeting in Canberra on Tuesday 13 October.

 

FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2015

 

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