Extract from ABC News website:
Updated
New deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek has vowed to do her best by her colleagues and articulate Labor's vision for the future.
The
former health minister was elected to the position today after Labor's
Caucus met to nominate their colleagues for the frontbench.Before he won the Labor leadership contest, Labor leader Bill Shorten made it clear he would like Ms Plibersek to take on the role of Labor's deputy leader.
Penny Wong has been re-elected as Labor's leader in the Senate but former deputy Senate leader, Jacinta Collins, has been dumped from the frontbench and replaced by Stephen Conroy.
There will be new faces amid the Opposition's senior ranks, with Michelle Rowland and Doug Cameron to be promoted.
The new frontbench will also feature former parliamentary secretaries David Feeney, Bernie Ripoll and Shayne Neumann - but there is no place for former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr.
Key points
- Tanya Plibersek elected deputy Labor leader
- Penny Wong stays as Senate leader and Conroy elected deputy Senate leader
- Shorten reveals 11 women will be in the shadow ministry
- Michelle Rowland and Doug Cameron to be promoted
- Shorten returns power to elect frontbench to the Caucus
The full frontbench and portfolios will be announced on Friday.
Mr Shorten told a joint press conference with Ms Plibersek, Senator Wong and Senator Conroy that the new Labor team will not be "relentlessly negative as an Opposition".
"We will seek to put forward a positive vision for the country, as well as hold the Coalition to account," he said.
"We will be a Labor Party that is focused on ideas and a view of an Australia writ large, and we will be a brave party, tackling the hard issues."
Mr Shorten also highlighted the gender balance of his new team compared to the Coalition's single female Cabinet minister.
"What I think is particularly pleasing is that we have 11 female shadow ministers in the list," he said.
Praising his new deputy, Mr Shorten says Ms Plibersek is the daughter of Slovenian migrants and reflects the "Australian story".
"She is a remarkable Australian," he said.
"She a respected member of Caucus ... [she has] a distinguished record of public service as the member for Sydney, and also most recently as the Minister for Health."
Ms Plibersek says she will do her best to defend Labor and push its vision for the future.
"I want to say how very conscious I am of becoming deputy. Of how I will absolutely endeavour to do my very best by my colleagues," she said.
She became emotional as she reflected on her appointment.
"I don't think there are many countries in the world where someone whose parents came here with nothing but a suitcase each can end up being a member of Parliament, let alone taking up the responsibility which my colleagues have entrusted me with. Thank you all," she said.
Ms Plibersek says Labor has three important tasks over the coming months - defending Labor's legacy, explaining the party's vision for the future and continuing to rebuild and unite the party.
"This period in opposition will be an important one for us to articulate our vision for the future and how that vision can be achieved," she said.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he called Mr Shorten last night to congratulate him on winning the leadership ballot.
"I've had a bit of experience being Opposition Leader. It's a great job but it's a tough job," he said.
"I know he'll do his best and I certainly respect Bill Shorten's political skills. He has a lot of political acumen."
Former prime minister Julia Gillard has tweeted her congratulations to Ms Plibersek on her appointment.
Congratulations to Tanya Plibersek on becoming Labor's Deputy Leader. A woman of achievement & vision, wit & warmth.JG
— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) October 14, 2013
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