A factional war threatens to overshadow the beginning of Labor’s second term in power, with senior ministers Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic at risk of being removed from cabinet in a battle described by party sources as increasingly ruthless. In anticipation of the first caucus meeting following Labor’s surprising election victory, set to occur at Parliament House on Friday, supporters of the Victorian Right faction are attempting to oust Dreyfus, the attorney general, possibly as early as Thursday. Exposure to Distances.
Dreyfus has personally appealed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to retain his position, but he is at risk of being replaced by Sam Rae, a backbencher and factional convenor from the Victorian region of Hawke. Rae is closely aligned with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Allegations have risen that Dreyfus was preparing to resign before the federal election, which he denies. Additionally, supporters of Husic, the industry and science minister, fear his potential removal from cabinet due to accusations of overrepresentation of the NSW Right faction at the government’s helm.
The controversy poses a dilemma for Labor, as it could be perceived as removing senior Muslim and Jewish MPs shortly after the election. A Labor source commented, “The Liberals show what happens if you don’t make tough decisions and renew.”
Chris Bowen, Tony Burke, and Jason Clare, all from the NSW Right, are among the frontbenchers in question. There seems to be little desire to reduce the number of senior women in cabinet, though the communications minister, Michelle Rowland, may be reassigned to another portfolio.
Tim Ayres, a senator and assistant minister, is expected to be promoted to the position vacated by Stephen Jones, the former assistant treasurer. Reyes.
Additionally, former disability minister Bill Shorten, who stepped down before the federal election, will need to be replaced. His portfolios could be assigned to a newly appointed minister. Victorians Jess Walsh and Ged Kearney, along with incoming Tasmanian MP Rebecca White, a former state opposition leader, are potential candidates for ministry positions from the left.
Labor MPs and party officials emphasize that Prime Minister Albanese’s clear election victory gives him considerable authority within the party to intervene if necessary. If factions cannot come to an agreement during their meeting on Thursday afternoon, a vote of MPs could happen during Friday’s caucus meeting.
This internal struggle could shift attention away from infighting within the Liberal Party and the Greens, both of whom have lost their leaders and are experiencing their own internal challenges.
Prime Minister Albanese anticipates the new ministry to be sworn in in Canberra on Tuesday next week. There are a total of 20 cabinet positions and 10 outer ministries to be filled; once the factions select their candidates, Albanese assigns portfolios to individual MPs.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/08/mark-dreyfus-and-ed-husic-at-risk-as-labor-factions-brawl-over-cabinet-positions
