With political stalwart Bill Shorten set to step away from parliament in the coming days, his National Disability Insurance Scheme and government services portfolios have been reallocated, in a boost to some of his colleagues.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth will pick up the NDIS, while Finance Minister Katy Gallagher adds government services - including Centrelink - to her fold and Anne Aly will become junior NDIS minister.
Anthony Albanese is set to tap Katy Gallagher for Centrelink duties. (Dominic Giannini/AAP PHOTOS)
Aged Care and Sport Minister Anika Wells will be promoted to the cabinet, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighting her work throughout the Olympics and aged care reforms.
"Anika Wells has done an outstanding job," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
The promotions will be made official when the politicians are sworn in at Government House on Monday.
This is the second time the prime minister has reshuffled his cabinet.
The ministry underwent a significant change in July after two veteran politicians announced their retirements and a furore over immigration, which prompted Mr Albanese to switch around his immigration and home affairs ministers.
The newly promoted ministers will be put to the test as voters prepare to take to the polls some time before May 17.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth will take over the NDIS portfolio from Bill Shorten. (Jacob Shteyman/AAP PHOTOS)
Mr Shorten has decided to end his political career, more than a week earlier than expected, to assume a role as the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra in February.
He has held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, stepping aside as Labor Party leader in 2019 after losing the election to the coalition under the leadership of Scott Morrison.
He called time on his 17-year career in federal parliament last September, saying he would not contest the next election but would use his remaining months as minister to ensure NDIS reforms were carried out.
"We will build on the work that Bill Shorten has done ... to make the scheme stronger, to deliver dignity and security for Australians with a disability," Mr Albanese said.
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