Labor Takes Aim With Government's Abolition of Ministerial Portfolios

^{BY JAMES JAMESONSON}

LABOR has taken a swipe at the government's recently unveiled cabinet, taking issue with the abolition of the industrial relations, employment, climate change and emissions reductions portfolios.

In a media release, Labor leader u/dyljam said that previous governments have 'acknowledged the need for a dedicated minister' for each of the portfolios, particularly given rising unemployment and the climate emergency.

Speaking to National Review, u/dyljam said the abolition came as a 'complete surprise'.

'Admittedly the Greens have never been too keen on workers, but in the past they have made a pretty big deal about climate change. It's staggering how they would just turn their backs like this.'

On Twitter, Socialist MP and education minister u/Fun_Seat4906 said that there was no difference between a ministerial portfolio and a government department.

National Review FactChecker can reveal that this is incorrect. A government department is an organisation within government typically responsible for a broad array of legislation, for example the Attorney-General's department, which is responsible for everything ranging from law to prosecution, anti-corruption policy, native title, animal welfare, bankruptcy, government records and marriage.

A ministerial portfolio, on the other hand, is the title held by a minister in charge of specific areas of government policy. For instance, the Attorney-General's department could have two ministers - an Attorney-General and a Minister for Constitutional Reform. Traditionally, the Attorney-General would be the senior minister in charge of the department, while the second minister would be able to devote more time and resources to more specific matters.

It would appear that every previous government has had ministers who held titular portfolios reporting to a department of an incongruous name.

The Labor leader said this was 'accepted practice of all political parties' including the previous Greens-Country-Sensible Team government.

'Instead of digging themselves an even deeper hole, the government should just admit it was wrong and rectify this problem.' NR