New shadow assistant treasurer and financial services minister announced

Liberal party leader Peter Dutton has named Luke Howarth MP, the member for Petrie, as his new shadow assistant treasurer and shadow minister for financial services.

Howarth takes over the position from Stuart Robert MP, who vacated the roles in May 2023.

Announcing the appointment, Dutton said: “Luke understands that small business is the backbone of the Australian economy. He has previously run a family business before entering Parliament and has a strong understanding of the financial pressures many Australians are currently experiencing under the government’s cost-of-living crisis.

“Luke will bring his strong command of retail economics to this important role.”

Senator Andrew Bragg has also been named as the new shadow assistant minister for home ownership.

“Andrew’s astute policy mind and advocacy will stand him in good stead for this critical portfolio area for the Coalition under my leadership,” Dutton said.

Other changes in the shadow ministry include:

• Melissa McIntosh MP, who has been promoted to the shadow ministry as the incoming shadow minister for energy affordability and shadow minister for Western Sydney.
• Senator James Paterson will become the shadow cabinet secretary (in addition to his existing portfolio responsibilities in the shadow home affairs portfolio).
• Andrew Hastie MP will assume additional responsibility as the shadow minister for defence industry and defence personnel, in addition to his existing portfolio responsibility as shadow minister for defence.
• Phillip Thompson OAM MP will add shadow assistant minister for defence industry and defence personnel to his existing portfolio responsibilities as shadow assistant minister for defence.
• James Stevens MP will become shadow assistant minister for government waste reduction.
• Senator Paul Scarr will become shadow assistant minister for multicultural engagement.
• Senator Hollie Hughes will become the shadow assistant minister for mental health and suicide prevention and shadow assistant minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Commenting on his rejigged shadow ministry, the Liberal leader added: “These appointments are excellent additions to the Coalition’s stable and united team. I can assure all Australians that the Coalition under my leadership will continue focusing on the policy issues that matter.”

Dutton said that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “has his priorities all wrong”, suggesting he had been “distracted” by the Voice referendum for the last 18 months and who he blamed for having “failed to address the cost-of-living crisis faced by Australians”.

“The Coalition, on the other hand, will continue to deliver the positive plans and policies for the future of our country in the lead-up to the next election.

“The appointments I make today strengthen our team as we approach that critical task ahead,” he said.

[Related: ‘Best way to empower Australians is through home ownership’: Dutton]