# Shadow ministry of Tony Abbott

The Shadow Ministry of Tony Abbott was the opposition Coalition shadow ministry of Australia from December 2009 to September 2013, opposing the Australian Labor Party governments of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
The shadow ministry is a group of senior Opposition spokespeople who form an alternative Cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual Minister or portfolio of the Government.
Since the 2007 federal election, the Liberal–National Coalition had been the Official Opposition, initially led by Brendan Nelson and later Malcolm Turnbull. In 2009, Tony Abbott defeated Turnbull in a leadership spill 42 votes to 41 in the second round and took on the role of Opposition Leader.
The Abbott shadow ministry was the first in which shadow ministers received additional pay for their roles, taking effect from 2012 after a decision of the Gillard government.

## Structure

The "opposition front bench" comprises the full shadow ministry including the shadow cabinet, other shadow ministers and shadow parliamentary secretaries. As an institution, the shadow cabinet is much less defined—or studied—than the Cabinet with its well established formal procedures. Shadow Cabinet operates more as a committee of an opposition political party than an institution of Government or Parliament. The Cabinet Handbook was first published in 1926 and the updated version is available on-line but no such equivalent exists for Shadow Cabinet.

## First arrangement (2009–2010)

The Shadow Cabinet of Tony Abbott was created following the accession of Tony Abbott to the leadership in December 2009. It remained largely unchanged until the 2010 election, excluding one minor reshuffle in March 2010. After this reshuffle, Barnaby Joyce gained the Regional Development portfolio from Warren Truss and the Infrastructure and Water Portfolio from Ian Macfarlane. Andrew Robb took on Joyce's previous portfolio of Finance and Deregulation and Macfarlane gained the Energy and Resources portfolio from the retiring Nick Minchin.

### Shadow Cabinet

| Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| Tony Abbott MP | Leader of the Opposition |
| Julie Bishop MP | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs |
| Warren Truss MP | Leader of the Nationals Shadow Minister for Trade, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (To 25 March 2010) Shadow Minister for Trade, Transport and Local Government (From 25 March 2010) |
| Senator Nick Minchin | Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (To 3 May 2010) Shadow Minister for Resources and Energy (To 25 March 2010) |
| Senator Eric Abetz | Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (To 3 May 2010) Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (From 3 May 2010) |
| Joe Hockey MP | Shadow Treasurer |
| Christopher Pyne MP | Manager of Opposition Business in the House Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training |
| Ian Macfarlane MP | Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water (To 25 March 2010) Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources (From 25 March 2010) |
| Senator George Brandis SC | Shadow Attorney-General |
| Senator David Johnston | Shadow Minister for Defence |
| Peter Dutton MP | Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing |
| Kevin Andrews MP | Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services |
| Greg Hunt MP | Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage |
| Senator Nigel Scullion | Deputy Leader of the Nationals Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs |
| Senator Barnaby Joyce | Leader of The Nationals in the Senate Shadow Minister for Finance and Debt Reduction (To 25 March 2010) Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Infrastructure and Water (From 25 March 2010) |
| John Cobb MP | Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Bruce Billson MP | Shadow Minister for Small Business, Deregulation, Competition Policy and Sustainable Cities |
| Tony Smith MP | Shadow Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy |
| Scott Morrison MP | Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship |
| Sophie Mirabella MP | Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research |
| Andrew Robb AO MP | Chairman of the Coalition Policy Development Committee Shadow Minister for Finance and Debt Reduction (From 25 March 2010) |
| Philip Ruddock MP | Shadow Cabinet Secretary |

### Members of the Outer Shadow Ministry

| Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| Bronwyn Bishop MP | Shadow Minister for Seniors |
| Senator Michael Ronaldson | Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste |
| Sharman Stone MP | Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Childcare Shadow Minister for the Status of Women |
| Steven Ciobo MP | Shadow Minister for Tourism and the Arts Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport |
| Michael Keenan MP | Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs |
| Sussan Ley MP | Shadow Assistant Treasurer |
| Bob Baldwin MP | Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Shadow Minister Assisting the Shadow Minister for Defence |
| Luke Hartsuyker MP | Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law |
| Louise Markus MP | Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs |
| Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells | Shadow Minister for Ageing |
| Senator Marise Payne | Shadow Minister for COAG and Modernising the Federation |
| Senator Mathias Cormann | Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training |

### Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries

| Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| Senator Ian Macdonald | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia |
| Andrew Southcott MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health Services, Health and Wellbeing |
| Senator Brett Mason | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education and School Curriculum Standards Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research |
| Senator Mitch Fifield | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary Sector |
| Senator Richard Colbeck | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Senator Cory Bernardi | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Population Policy |
| Don Randall MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Transport |
| Senator Simon Birmingham | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin |
| Stuart Robert MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence |
| Senator Gary Humphries | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families, Housing and Human Services Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship |
| Joanna Gash MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism |
| Jason Wood MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Security and Policing |
| Mark Coulton MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Emerging Trade Markets |
| Senator Guy Barnett | Chairman of the Scrutiny of Government Waste Committee |

## Second arrangement (2010–2013)

Tony Abbott reshuffled the Shadow Cabinet following the 2010 election and this arrangement remained largely unchanged until the election of the Abbott government in 2013. Two alterations were made during this period. In March 2011, Michael Ronaldson was appointed Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC. A wider redistribution took place in September 2012 following the resignation of Cory Bernardi. Arthur Sinodinos took on the role of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition and Jamie Briggs took on the role of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary of Supporting Families. Michaelia Cash was also appointed Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.

### Shadow Cabinet

| Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| Tony Abbott MP | Leader of the Opposition |
| Julie Bishop MP | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister for Trade |
| Warren Truss MP | Leader of the Nationals Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport |
| Senator Eric Abetz | Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations |
| Joe Hockey MP | Shadow Treasurer |
| Christopher Pyne MP | Manager of Opposition Business in the House Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training |
| Ian Macfarlane MP | Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources |
| Senator George Brandis SC | Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shadow Minister for the Arts Attorney-General |
| Senator David Johnston | Shadow Minister for Defence |
| Peter Dutton MP | Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing |
| Kevin Andrews MP | Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services |
| Greg Hunt MP | Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage |
| Senator Nigel Scullion | Deputy Leader of the Nationals Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs |
| Senator Barnaby Joyce | Leader of The Nationals in the Senate Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Water |
| John Cobb MP | Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security |
| Bruce Billson MP | Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs |
| Malcolm Turnbull MP | Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband |
| Scott Morrison MP | Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Shadow Minister for Productivity and Population |
| Sophie Mirabella MP | Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science |
| Andrew Robb AO MP | Shadow Minister for Finance, Deregulation and Debt Reduction Chairman of the Coalition Policy Development Committee |

### Members of the Outer Shadow Ministry

| Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| Bronwyn Bishop MP | Shadow Special Minister of State Shadow Minister for Seniors |
| Senator Michael Ronaldson | Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC (From 3 March 2011) |
| Stuart Robert MP | Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel |
| Senator Mathias Cormann | Shadow Assistant Treasurer Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation |
| Sussan Ley MP | Shadow Minister for Employment Participation Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Childhood Learning |
| Senator Marise Payne | Shadow Minister for Indigenous Development and Employment Shadow Minister for COAG Shadow Minister for Housing |
| Senator Brett Mason | Shadow Minister for Universities and Research |
| Luke Hartsuyker MP | Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport Shadow Minister for Regional Communications |
| Michael Keenan MP | Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection |
| Bob Baldwin MP | Shadow Minister Regional Development Shadow Minister for Tourism |
| Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells | Shadow Minister for Ageing Shadow Minister for Mental Health |
| Senator Mitch Fifield | Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary Sector |

### Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries (2009–2013)

| Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| Senator Ian Macdonald | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Defence Force and Defence Support Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia |
| Andrew Southcott MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Healthcare |
| Senator Richard Colbeck | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry |
| Senator Cory Bernardi | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition (To 19 September 2012) Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Supporting Families (To 19 September 2012) |
| Senator Arthur Sinodinos | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition (From 19 September 2012) |
| Darren Chester MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport |
| Senator Simon Birmingham | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin |
| Teresa Gambaro MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Settlement |
| Senator Gary Humphries | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Materiel |
| Tony Smith MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Tax Reform Deputy chairman, Coalition Policy Development Committee |
| Andrew Laming MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health Services and Indigenous Health |
| Senator Michaelia Cash | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate (From 19 September 2012) |
| Senator Fiona Nash | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education |
| Don Randall MP | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government |
| Senator Scott Ryan | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Fair Competition |
| Jamie Briggs MP | Chairman of the Scrutiny of Government Waste Committee Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Supporting Families (From 19 September 2012) |

## Other positions

| Party | Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| Liberal | Warren Entsch MP | Chief Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives |
| Liberal | Patrick Secker MP | Opposition Whip in House of Representatives: |
| Liberal | Nola Marino MP | Opposition Whip in House of Representatives: |
| Liberal | Senator Helen Kroger | Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate |
| Liberal | Senator David Bushby | Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate |
| Liberal | Senator Chris Back | Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate |
| National | Mark Coulton MP | Nationals Chief Whip in the House of Representatives |
| National | Paul Neville MP | Nationals Whip in the House of Representatives |
| National | Senator John Williams | Nationals Whip in the Senate |