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No Rudd in Gillard's cabinet

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced the cabinet that will lead the Labor Party into the federal election

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Source: SBS


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Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced the cabinet that will lead Labor into the federal election, with no new immediate role given to deposed PM Kevin Rudd.

Although there was no cabinet post for Rudd, she has told him she would be 'absolutely delighted' for him to serve as a senior cabinet minister if the government is reelected.

She would not be drawn on whether it was his choice or hers that a cabinet position would not be forthcoming before the election .

Kevin Rudd released a statement to the media shortly after the announcement in which he said he respects the PM's decisions.

'Ultimately, decisions on Cabinet appointments are a matter for the Prime Minister', he announced.

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'For the immediate future, my family and I have decided to take a break. Following that, I will be working in my own electorate of Griffith and in any other way deemed appropriate to support the re-election of the Government.'

Crean a 'safe pair of hands'

Former Trade Minister Simon Crean, who is a 'safe pair of hands', said Gillard, takes over her education, employment, workplace relations and social inclusion portfolios.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stepehen Smith added Crean's Trade portfolio to his Foreign Affairs responsibility.

Smith thanked Crean for setting a 'firm foundation' for him in the role, and said it was advantageous to him to have both Trade and Foreign Affairs, due to their interconnectedness.

Gillard denied he'd have too much on his plate.

Lindsay Tanner will continue in his role as finance minister. On announcing this, Gillard said there would be no more changes to cabinet before the election, expected in the spring.

No role for factional chiefs

There was speculation that those involved in the 'coup' would not be rewarded with government portfolios, and this was the case.

Former Foreign minister Alexander Downer had criticised the notion, relayed in some quarters of the media, of Kevin Rudd becoming foreign minister, saying that the PM should be personally and politically close to the country's top diplomat.

Gillard on Friday announced that climate change, border protection and the controversial mining 'super' tax would be her top priorities.

Who's who in the Gillard cabinet

Simon Crean - Takes over Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and Social Inclusion

Stephen Smith - Takes over Crean's Trade portfolio, and keeps Foreign Affairs

Wayne Swan - Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister

Lindsay Tanner - Finance and Deregulation

Chris Evans - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Penny Wong - Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water

John Faulkner - Defence

Nicola Roxon - Health

Jenny Macklin - Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Anthony Albanese - Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

Stephen Conroy - Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

Kim Carr - Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Peter Garrett - Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts

Robert McClelland - Attorney General

Joe Ludwig - Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State

Tony Burke - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Minister for Population

Martin Ferguson - Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism

Chris Bowen - Minister for Human Services, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law

Kate Ellis - Minister for Youth and Sport


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