A long-running stoush over climate change policy inside the federal Australian Labor Party has ended with a shadow minister losing the portfolio after eight years.
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A reshuffle of the Labor frontbench, announced on Thursday, had been on the cards since former minister and Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon resigned from the shadow cabinet three months ago over Labor's commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The policy is staying, but the spokesperson responsible for it has been moved to a new role.
On Thursday federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese pitched his new shadow cabinet as the team to take them into government when the next election is called.
"This reshuffle is about Australians getting the most out of Labor," Mr Albanese said.
"I'm absolutely determined and events this year have reinforced my view that I will do the right thing, not necessarily the easy thing.
"This is the strongest team to form an Albanese Labor government."
Labor's deputy leader Richard Marles has moved from Defence to take on a new super-portfolio of national reconstruction, employment, skills, small business and science as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Albanese said we could refer to Mr Marles as "the shadow minister for jobs, jobs and more jobs".
Brendon O'Connor will take on the Defence portfolio, having previously sat on the National Security Committee and held home affairs and immigration.
Former climate and energy spokesperson Mark Butler will swap roles with health spokesperson Chris Bowen.
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Mr Butler was previously a minister for ageing, health and mental health services.
Shadow home affairs spokesperson Senator Kristina Keneally takes on the additional responsibility of government accountability. Mr Albanese said she will bring the government to account for "the rorts and the abuse of process".
Ed Husic will move from resources and agriculture to take up the industry and innovation portfolio.
Trade spokesperson Madeline King also picks up Husic's resources portfolio.
Julie Collins will pick up the agriculture portfolio, but loses the shadow ministries for ageing and women.
Former deputy leader Tanya Plibersek will pick up the women portfolio, in addition to her existing education and training portfolio, but loses skills portfolio to Mr Marles.
"We have more than two million Australians who are either out of a job or can't get the amount of work that they need," Mr Albanese said.
"Australians deserve a government who will show the strength that they themselves have shown over the past 12 months.
"I have put head to head opposition portfolios in the same areas in which the government has its portfolios. I think to sharpen that focus going into the future."
The reshuffle was made possible due to the resignation of Joel Fitzgibbon from the frontbench three months ago over his concern about Labor's renewable energy target and the impact on jobs from action on climate change.
At the time Mr Albanese refused to move Mr Butler from the energy portfolio. On Thursday he said Labor was was "absolutely committed" to zero net emissions by 2050.
"It is about science and markets but one of the things about jobs going forward as well is that action on climate change creates jobs. It doesn't cost jobs ... There are enormous opportunities that we have, not just to deliver clean, green, cheap energy here but also to export it."
Mr Fitzgibbon said the reshuffle may not be be enough. A recalibration of policy and messaging was necessary, he said, "to reassure our traditional base that while we are serious on taking action on climate change - meaningful action - we will do so without risk or threat to their livelihoods."
Liberal Energy Minister Angus Taylor accused Labor of fighting amongst themselves.
"Moving Mark Butler out and Chris Bowen in doesn't change the fact that Labor does not have a single policy that will reduce emissions or lower energy prices," Mr Taylor said.
Politicians have been making their way back to Canberra for the resumption of parliament on Monday.
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