Labor’s front bench is announced

Tanya Plibersek stays with education and training on Labor’s new front bench, announced yesterday. Ms Plibersek is across the portfolio, strong in support of the demand driven system and capable of carrying the policy-fight to education minister Dan Tehan and Michaelia Cash whose portfolio includes VET. Ms Plibersek’s responsibilities appear to include research, with no separate spokesperson named.

“Education is critical for jobs and is the foundation of our national prosperity, she said yesterday. Question is, given the way the government effectively neutralised post-school education as an issue during the campaign, how hard will Labor want to run with it now.

Brendan O’Connor will shadow Karen Andrews for the science part of portfolio while Clare O’Neil will ask Ms Andrews about innovation.