KEVIN RUDD has unveiled his new-look ministry in the lead up to the Federal election, with ACT Labor MP Kate Lundy demoted and Andrew Leigh dropped altogether. 

The cabinet reshuffle comes after several senior ministers – including Stephen Conroy, Craig Emerson, Greg Combet, Peter Garrett and Joe Ludwig – quit their positions in the wake of the dramatic Labor leadership ballot last Wednesday.

Rudd’s backers were largely rewarded in the new line up, with Joel Fitzgibbon made Minister for Agriculture, while Ed Husic and Alan Griffin were made parliamentary secretaries to the Prime Minister. Last minute-backer Bill Shorten was also rewarded, adding education to his existing workplace relations portfolio.

Meanwhile, vocal Gillard supporter and ACT Labor MP Kate Lundy lost the prized sports portfolio to Senator Don Farrell, keeping multicultural affairs. She will be taking on a new role as minister assisting for the digital economy as well as minister assisting for innovation and industry.

Brendan O’Connor, a Gillard supporter, lost the immigration portfolio to Tony Burke, while federal member for Fraser Andrew Leigh was dropped from the Ministry completely.

The cabinet announcement comes with news that veteran Labor MP Simon Crean – a keen Rudd backer tipped to make the front bench – will quit politics.

Crean said he had a conversation with Rudd shortly after he became prime minister.

“He offered me a position in the Cabinet,” he told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

“I welcomed that, but I indicated I had come to a position not to contest the next election and he should take that into account.”

Rudd said his was a “strong team”.

“This team has been appointed on the basis of merits,” he said.

He is yet to set a new date for the election.

Labor’s new line-up: 

Treasurer – Chris Bowen

Finance – Penny Wong

Immigration, Multiculturalism and Citizenship, and Arts – Tony Burke

Communications, Broadband (NBN), and Infrastructure and Transport – Anthony Albanese

Climate Change and Environment, Water and Heritage – Mark Butler

Foreign Affairs – Bob Carr

Defence – Stephen Smith

Health and Medical Research – Tanya Plibersek

Attorney-General, Emergency Management and Special Minister of State – Mark Dreyfus

Education, Industrial Relations – Bill Shorten

Employment, Skills and Training – Brendan O’Connor

Industry, Science, Innovation and Higher Education  – Kim Carr

Trade – Richard Marles

Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and Disability Reform – Jenny Macklin

Mental Health and Ageing – Jacinta Collins

Housing, Homelessness and Status of Women – Julie Collins

Regional Australia, Local Government and Territories – Catherine King

International Development and Aid – Melissa Parke

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Joel Fitzgibbon

Home Affairs and Justice – Jason Clare

Resources and Energy, and Tourism, and Small Business – Gary Gray