Albanese Names Housing, Infrastructure Ministers

The reappointment of two ministers to housing-related portfolios as part of the Albanese Government’s second term has been welcomed by the industry,

Catherine King (pictured) and Clare O’Neil have been reappointed as infrastructure minister and housing minister respectively.

O’Neil will stay on as the Minister for Housing and Homelessness and has been given a new portfolio as the Minister for Cities.

King remains Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the appointments spoke to the importance of the sector.

“With housing being such a big feature of the election campaign, having Minister Clare O’Neil keep her position ... as well as picking up additional responsibility as Minister for Cities is a reflection of her work in this critical policy area for the re-election of the Albanese Government,” Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said.

“Having stability in ministerial leadership is critical to maintaining momentum and there is no time to be lost in getting on with the job of boosting housing supply.

“The fact that the Housing Accord targets will be maintained is a welcome outcome from the election as these were critical to focussing policy makers on housing supply.”

▲ Clare O’Neil (left) has been sworn in as the federal housing, homelessness and cities minister by Australia’s Governor-General, Sam Mostyn AC.

Planning Institute of Australia chief executive Matt Collins agreed.

“The PIA looks forward to continuing our work with Minister O’Neil to ensure good planning is central to delivering more homes in well-planned places, and to strengthen Australia’s National Urban Policy,” Collins said.

“We urge the new Cabinet to continue investing in strategic planning, and to partner with planners to tackle Australia’s national challenges, particularly in relation to housing and climate action.”

Under King’s term during the past three years, the federal government undertook an infrastructure project review.

King said construction and supply-chain productivity, and large state-based infrastructure projects were on the agenda for the second term.

“We have a significant agenda for our second term, including ... driving productivity in construction and across our supply chains; getting on with Melbourne Airport Rail, fixing Queensland’s Bruce Highway [and] finishing Western Sydney International,” King said.

Anne Aly has been appointed as Minister for Small Business and International Development while Amanda Rishworth has been appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.