Labor’s factions set to scramble over two vacant positions in Anthony Albanese’s second-term ministry

Labor’s factions are set to start scrambling on Monday for two vacant positions in Anthony Albanese’s second-term ministry, with insiders believing the Prime Minister’s landslide victory has given him more internal authority.

As Labor ministers and MPs celebrated Saturday’s shock win, focus shifted to who would form part of Labor’s senior government.

The two vacancies — from former Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and Bill Shorten — offer up a position to a left and right-aligned MP respectively.

Aged Care and Sports Minister Anika Wells’ elevation earlier this year in Mr Shorten’s place means there are no vacant spots around the Cabinet table, so both will likely be in the outer ministry.

Resources Minister Madeleine King — the only WA cabinet minister — said she would welcome another West Australian in the ranks, off the back of the Government’s dominant electoral performance in the State.

WA’s Matt Keogh and Anne Aly are in the wider ministry, while Patrick Gorman and Josh Wilson serve as assistant ministers.

“As a West Australian, I always think it should be more of us in cabinet, and I hope that is the case, but we do have to finalise the count so that we can know exactly where we all sit, and that’s going to be a measured process,” she said on Sunday.

While one frontbencher told The West Australian WA’s claim to another position would be affected by the increase in seats from other States, Ms King dismissed questions it would lead to a reduced influence from WA representatives.

“Anthony Albanese has always been committed to Western Australia . . . I think he visits Perth more than I do and I’m in Rockingham,” Ms King said.

“Our government gets it — in the last term, in the future term and always. But I do think it’s a good thing that Queensland has finally lifted its game.”

It came after Treasurer Jim Chalmers told the ABC on Sunday Queensland — which has three ministers in Cabinet — was short of numbers, amid a resurgence of support for Labor in the sunshine state.

“I think there’s a stronger contingent in a number of states,” he said on Insiders.

“We’ve been long on influence but short on numbers. I’m a Queenslander, and I think that most the cabinet should be Queenslanders — that’s just how we’re born and raised.”

Caucus will likely meet next week to determine the composition of the ministry before Mr Albanese awards the roles, with one frontbencher telling The West the Prime Minister had earned the right to make calls on who got which portfolios.

“I would think he wants to make some changes both in personnel and portfolio to freshen things up,” a Labor minister said.

During the election campaign, speaking with The Nightly, Mr Albanese said a reshape of his ministry was necessary given the empty spots.

“There’s a couple of vacancies already there, and it’s also important that a government regenerate,” he said.

“The key people in my Government I expect to hold the same portfolios across the leaders group, after the election as well.

“Richard Marles in defence, Penny Wong in foreign affairs, Jim Chalmers in treasury, Don Farrell in trade and Katy Gallagher in finance bring a stability to the show that is really important.”

Asked at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters late last month who would be Environment Minister, Mr Albanese refused to back in his factional rival, Tanya Plibersek.

“Well Tanya will serve in the Cabinet, no question about that. We’ve got an incredible team. I’ll have a chat with people if we’re successful,” he said.

Ms Plibersek’s position was put focus after an apparent snub at Labor’s Perth campaign launch, where Mr Albanese awkwardly clasped hands with his Environment Minister.