Australian news and politics live: Ley announces new shadow ministry after reuniting Liberal Party, Nationals

“Andrew Wallace will take on the key role of shadow cabinet secretary, planning important policy development and coordination role with this appointment.

“Dan Tehan will take up the critical energy and emissions reduction portfolio, then working alongside our passionate and talented party room and the Nationals will lead our work to deliver a plan that gets emissions down but also delivers a reliable grid in energy for Australians.

“Australia does have to play its part in the global response to climate change, but not at any cost.

“Dean Smith from the great resources state of WA will play a vital role in this plan is the assistant minister for Industry and emissions reduction.

“Alex Hawke will be the shadow minister for industry and innovation and manager of Opposition business in the House.

“Jonathon Duniam would take up education and early learning, he will do the work to deliver a plan for education’s biggest choices to parents and prioritise knowledge and critical thinking for our kids.

“Julian Leeser will serve as shadow attorney-general and minister for the arts.

“Paul Scarr will bring a fresh perspective and a great strategic mind to immigration.

“My team sees the immigration portfolio as an opportunity that really connects with our economic agenda.

“There is a new urban infrastructure and cities portfolio led by James McGrath.”

“Melissa Price will join the shadow ministry (as) shadow minister for cybersecurity and shadow minister for science,” Ms Ley said.

“Leah Price and Zoe McKenzie will all join the frontbench and key shadow assistant ministry roles.

“These women are representing the future of our party, the first step, but it is far from the last.

“Happy to advise that, subject to the outcome of the vote in Bradfield, Gisele Terry will be appointed as shadow assistant minister for communications, shadow minister for technology and the digital economy.

“Gisele’s appointment is about confidence and the future of women in our party.

“It is a clear message to communities like Bradfield that if you support your local Liberal member, they will have a direct say in the decisions that change the direction of this country.”

“As the first woman to take on the Leader of the Opposition role, I am also very pleased to see a number of capable women advance forward,” Ms Ley said.

“Nothing is more central to the prosperity of Australians than our safety, so I am excited to see Senator Jacinta Nampanjimpa Price take on the crucial role of shadow minister for defence industry and shadow minister for defence personnel.

“Catherine Liddle will come into the shadow cabinet and serve as shadow minister for Indigenous Australians and social services.

“Angie Bell will come into the shadow cabinet with the environment and youth portfolios.

“Melissa McIntosh will take on a really important women’s portfolio and continue her great work and communications being a strong voice for the protection of women and children from the failures of PID Act.

“Anne Ruston will serve as the aged care and support shadow minister and will take up the critical NDIS portfolio.”

“Dave Sharma will also join the economic team as the shadow assistant minister for competition, charities and Treasury,” Ms Ley said.

“I am particularly proud of our foreign affairs national security and defence team, which will include Michaelia Cash as shadow foreign minister, Angus Taylor as shadow defence minister, Andrew Hastie as shadow home affairs minister, and Jason Wood as shadow minister for international development and the Pacific.

“This is a strong team that knows what it takes to keep Australians safe.”

“I am excited to work with my new economic team, Ted O’Brien at shadow treasurer and James Paterson in finance,” Ms Ley announced.

“Andrew Bragg is in a new productivity and deregulation role. This will help develop the economy-wide solutions to pressing issues for Australians, including housing, and shadow housing minister Andrew will ensure that housing policies are the heartfelt economic agenda.

“Tim Wilson will be the shadow minister for industrial relations and employment and most importantly the shadow minister for small business.”

New Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is announcing her new shadow ministry alongside Nationals Leader David Littleproud.

“I want to thank you, David, for the respectful and productive way that you and I have engaged throughout this process,” she said.

“I know that we will be a great partnership going forward. I promised my leadership would be done differently and it will be.

“I have communicated with every single member of my party room about this shadow ministry. Those who are in the shadow ministry and those who are not.

“That style might be unconventional, but it is important because I always said that I would harness the talents of my party room.”

Murray Watt has approved Woodside Energy’s 50-year extension of the North West Shelf gas project.

The Environment Minister gave the go-ahead for the project on Wednesday subject to strict conditions.

The proposed decision and imposed conditions will now be put before Woodside which has 10 days to respond before a final decision is made by Senator Watt.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had on Wednesday reaffirmed the Government’s support for gas, as Australia shifts to a renewable future, saying it was needed to support the green energy plan.

It comes as Mr Albanese prepares to hold Cabinet in Perth on Tuesday.

Senator Watt said in a statement he considered potential impacts of extending the project on “the national heritage values of nearby ancient rock art” alongside “economic and social matters” of the development.

“Following the consideration of rigorous scientific and other advice including submissions from a wide cross-section of the community, I have today made a proposed decision to approve this development,” he said.

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Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has locked in a reshuffle of the shadow cabinet, moving to steady the Coalition’s frontbench amid ongoing internal unrest.

The official lineup is expected to be announced at 2:15pm.

Speculation is mounting that Ted O’Brien will take over as shadow treasurer, with Angus Taylor tipped to become defence spokesperson.

Sarah Henderson is reportedly set to be dumped from the frontbench, while former Nationals leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce have also been sidelined following their public criticism of current leader David Littleproud.

The shake-up comes after the Nationals rejoined the Coalition, ending a brief walkout sparked by policy disagreements.

Mr Albanese has responded to claims of “rorts” in the NDIS system, saying his Government is determined to bring “integrity” back to the system.

“What we are doing is getting into these rorts and these issues that were there, that were allowed to be there for 10 years.

“Bill Shorten did that, and now Jenny McAllister and Mark Butler are continuing to get on top of this.

“We need to make sure that there is integrity in the system. We need to make sure that the system is made sustainable and we’re working with state and territory Governments, but are also making sure that these sorts of things that really are an abuse of the system and are frankly an insult to the people who need the NDIS.

“We are very proud, and as a nation, we should be proud of the fact that we have the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but we need to make sure that there is integrity”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says renewables are “critical” in Queensland to meet Australia’s energy needs.

“Renewables have an important role to play and here in Queensland, it has a critical role to play whether that be solar or wind batteries,” he said.

“That is an important part of moving forward and Queensland has a particular opportunity.”

Mr Albanese said he had been to locations with Bob Katter, describing him as someone “who would not be described by most as a Greenpeace activity”.

“What he understands is there is job and economic activity that have resulted as a result the hydro project in the old quarry that has been established there.

“The wind projects with Big Kennedy and Little Kennedy providing power across the grid with the copper string project as well is important.

“This is an important part of Queensland’s future.”