Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the retirement of ministers Linda Burney and Brendan O’Connor, clearing the path for a rejigging of the federal cabinet.
Burney, 67, the Indigenous Australians minister, entered the NSW parliament in 2003 and served in a series of senior portfolios before switching to federal politics in 2016.
O’Connor, 62, the Skills and Training minister, entered federal parliament in 2001 and has been a fixture on Labor’s frontbench in a string of portfolios since 2007.
Anthony Albanese with retiring ministers Brendan O’Connor and Linda Burney.Credit: Nine
“As a government that has proper cabinet processes, that has a ministry of which I am so proud, delivering for Australians, of course, is our number one priority,” Albanese said in Sydney.
“But we have also been an incredibly stable government. No government in living memory has had the same cabinet and ministerial positions for its first two years in office.
“Indeed the last time the government changed hands in this country was Tony Abbott in 2013 and the prime minister didn’t make it to two years.”
Albanese said Burney and O’Connor were his friends. Because they are not contesting the next election, they will immediately depart the cabinet, which Albanese said would allow a “refresh” of his frontbench.
“I am proud to have witnessed first-hand their passion for this nation, their determination to leave the country better for their contribution as members of parliament and as ministers.”
Albanese will announce new ministers on Sunday as factions decide which MPs to promote.
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