Shadow cabinet of Australia

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In Australian federal politics, the shadow cabinet is the opposition's equivalent to the federal cabinet. It comprises the most senior figures within the opposition, headed by the leader of the opposition as the counterpart to the prime minister of Australia.

The shadow cabinet is the highest level of the shadow ministry (or "opposition frontbench"), which also includes other less senior shadow ministers (equivalent to the government's "outer ministry") and shadow assistant ministers. The members of the shadow ministry are assigned one or more portfolios, usually though not necessarily corresponding to an existing ministerial portfolio within the government. They serve as the opposition's chief spokespeople on matters within their portfolio, and during parliamentary question time may direct questions at their government equivalent. If the opposition forms government, such as through winning a federal election, it is typical for members of the shadow ministry to retain the same portfolio.

The current shadow ministry was formed by Anthony Albanese on 2 June 2019, following his election as leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP).[1]

Role and functions[]

According to Bateman (2018), the shadow cabinet exists as a "recognised component of the parliamentary system" but "the functions, roles and practices of the Shadow Cabinet are far less clear than those of the Cabinet".[2]

The role of the shadow ministry in making opposition policy has varied.[3]

Meetings of shadow cabinet are less formal than actual cabinet meetings, typically lasting a shorter time.[4]

History[]

In May 1965, the Australian Labor Party Caucus voted to establish a formal shadow ministry of 25 members.[5] This replaced an earlier "opposition executive" consisting of 14 members.[6]

Since 1987, the shadow ministry has had at least as many members as the ministry, and sometimes more. Shadow parliamentary secretaries (known as shadow assistant ministers since 2016) were first appointed in 1990.[7]

Salary and benefits[]

As of July 2019, ordinary shadow ministers were entitled to either a 20 or 25 percent loading on top of the base parliamentary salary. The loading depends on the number of shadow ministers. Officeholders within the opposition receive higher loadings, up to 87 percent for the leader of the opposition.[8] Historically, ordinary shadow ministers received no additional salary compared to backbenchers but were granted an additional staffing allowance.[9]

Current composition[]

Main article: Shadow Ministry of Anthony Albanese

The current shadow cabinet was formed by Anthony Albanese on 2 June 2019, following his election as leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) after the party's defeat at the 2019 federal election.[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Laschon, Eliza (2 June 2019). "Labor leader Anthony Albanese announces frontbench in wake of federal election 2019". ABC News. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  2. ^ Bateman 2018, p. 1.
  3. ^ Bateman 2018, p. 4.
  4. ^ Bateman 2018, p. 24.
  5. ^ Bateman 2018, p. 9.
  6. ^ Bateman 2018, p. 10.
  7. ^ "The (official) Opposition". House of Representatives Practice. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Salary". Department of Finance. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  9. ^ Bateman 2018, p. 7.

Sources[]

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