Three Tasmanians were named in Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s shadow ministry over the weekend, including one tasked with liaising with Mr Shorten on Tasmanian issues.
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Franklin MHR Julie Collins will become Shadow Minister for Ageing and Mental Health, while Senator Carol Brown will take up the role of Shadow Minister for Disability and Carers.
Senator Brown is one of five new members of the Labor Party’s shadow ministry.
Senator Helen Polley will assist Ms Collins as Shadow Assistant Minister for Ageing, and will also assume the newly-created role of Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader (Tasmania).
She said she spoke with the Opposition Leader about the possibility of the new Tasmanian role but was unsure of his decision until Saturday’s announcement.
“You have very limited resources in opposition and, having three new members, I thought it was a timely suggestion to have a direct input to Bill Shorten about matters around Tasmania,” she said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attracted criticism last week when he named his ministry, which did not include Tasmanian representation.
Senator Richard Colbeck previously held the role of Tourism Minister but was left off the list as his political future remains uncertain. But Senator Polley said Mr Turnbull was not without options.
“We know that unfortunately we’ve been left off the map as far as Malcolm Turnbull’s concerned,” she said.
