By Olivia Condous
Gorton MP Brendan O’Connor was selected as a minister for the Labor government after sworn in prime minister Anthony Albanese unveiled his new ministry this week.
Mr O’Connor will take on the skills and training portfolio, a position he held when Labor was last in government in 2013.
He was previously the opposition minister for defence minister, but the portfolio has been taken over by deputy prime minister Richard Marles.
The Gorton MP has been in parliament since 2001 and has been the local member for the area since the electorate was created in 2004.
Mr O’Connor was also the minister for employment participation following the Labor victory at the 2007 federal election.
After being re-elected as the Gorton MP this year, Mr O’Connor said it was an honour and a privilege to hold the seat.
“I am excited to be a part of Prime Minister Albanese’s team that will deliver a series of significant reforms that will change the country for the better,” Mr O’Connor said.
Mr O’Connor joins Catherine King, another western Victoria MP in the cabinet, who was selected for the infrastructure and transport portfolio and has held the seat of Ballarat since 2001.
