Local MPs Kevin Hogan and Justine Elliot have returned to Canberra victorious following their triumphant election wins, however their respective paths forward diverted on arrival.
Page MP Hogan was promoted Deputy Leader of the Nationals, while the Member for Richmond’s name was missing from Labor’s executive team for the first time since 2007.
Mr Hogan enters his fifth term and now joins the leadership team with Nationals Leader David Littleproud and Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie.
“I am incredibly honoured to be elected Deputy Leader of The Nationals. I’ve proudly represented regional communities for over a decade, and it’s a great privilege to take on this role,” Mr Hogan said.
Mr Hogan is expected to be reappointed as the Opposition Trade Spokesman, a position he has held since 2022. This role is considered critical for the National’s primary industries base, especially as global trade dynamics become more complex with a shift away from free trade.
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The new Shadow Ministry will be decided by the new Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley.
In contrast, Labor’s eight-times election winner Justine Elliot was omitted from the outer ministry, a call she said she made herself.
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve as the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence in the first term of the Albanese Labor Government,” Mrs Elliot said in a statement to Ballina News Daily.
“Following our recent election victory, I advised the Prime Minister that I didn’t intend seeking a ministerial role so that I can provide my time and full attention to being your Federal MP.
“My heart and my focus is always in Richmond and in our community. I’ll continue to be a strong voice at the table for the North Coast in the Albanese Labor Government.
“As your local Labor MP my priority has always been working with our community and I’m proud to have delivered more than $3 billion for our region, including all my previous election commitments.
“Now it’s time to strengthen Medicare, deliver cost-of-living relief, build housing, reduce HECS debts, cut taxes, deliver a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, Medicare Mental Health Clinic, North Coast Crime Action Plan, funding for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and so much more,” Mrs Elliot said.
The eight-times election-winning MP for Richmond had been a fixture in the ministerial line-up during Labor reigns since Kevin Rudd appointed her Minister for Aging in 2007. Prior to the election she served as Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and in the later Rudd-Gillard years had outer ministry roles including Trade and Social Services.
Photo: New Nationals Deputy Kevin Hogan and re-elected Leader David Littleproud emerge victorious from the party meeting in Parliament House (photo: Facebook)
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