Unions welcome his appointment to the position
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has named Tony Burke as the newest Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.
In a media release, the prime minister said that Burke is also the Leader of the House and the newest Minister for the Arts.
"Today I announced my new ministry. Tomorrow, we will go to Government House to be sworn in and start delivering on a better future," said Albanese in a statement.
The newest employment and workplace relations minister has yet to release a statement following his appointment - but he is already welcomed by unions who look forward to working with him.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said Burke has worked hard in opposition to resist attacks on Australia workers like the Ensuring Integrity Bill and the IR Omnibus Bill.
"After almost a decade of attacks on their rights, working people finally have a Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations who will fight for them," said ACTU secretary Sally McManus.
According to ACTU, it was likely because of Burke that the pay and conditions of millions of working people are stronger today.
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"We welcome Minister Burke's appointment and look forward to working with him and his team in line with the strong mandate for action on job security and wage growth that the Albanese Government has secured," added McManus.
Following the recent results of the elections, the ACTU secretary said it is clear that Australians want a government that will "restore balance" to the industrial relations system.
"Strong wage growth and increased job security is desperately needed to ensure that the recovery from the pandemic extends to the workers who carried this country through the crisis," the secretary said.
Prior to his stint as employment and workplace relations minister, Burke was the shadow minister for industrial relations in 2019. He was also the shadow minister for the arts back in 2016.
Read more: New Opposition leaders urged to reverse Morrison's inaction on labour issues
Women appointees
Meanwhile, the Albanese administration also boasts a record-high number of 10 women appointees in the Cabinet, surpassing the previous administration of Scott Morrison that had seven.
The 10 women appointed for the top positions include:
- Penny Wong – Senate leader and the Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Katy Gallagher – Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Service, and Minister for Women
- Tanya Plibersek – Minister for Environment and Water
- Catherine King – Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government
- Linda Burney – Minister for Indigenous Australians
- Amanda Rishworth – Minister for Social Services
- Julie Collins – Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, and Minister for Small Business
- Michelle Rowland – Minister for Communications
- Madeleine King – Minister for Resources and Northern Australia
- Clare O’Neil – Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security
Albanese said in a press conference his team is "overflowing" with talent and people who are "committed to making a difference as ministers and assistant ministers," the NPR reported.
"This is the largest number of women who have ever served in an Australian Cabinet," he also said as quoted by NPR.