I am honoured to be appointed as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and look forward to working with portfolio stakeholders and my Shadow Ministerial, Caucus and parliamentary colleagues to advance the national interest and hold the Turnbull Government to account in this term of Parliament.
Australias prosperity and security is underpinned by coherent and effective foreign policy and the work of our dedicated foreign service.
Labor developed Australias independent foreign policy and commitment to middle power diplomacy, established our alliance with the United States and forged Australias relationship with Asia.
I acknowledge my predecessor, Tanya Plibersek, for her outstanding work in Foreign Affairs, and thank Bill Shorten for the opportunity to serve the Labor Party and the nation in this capacity.
I thank the stakeholders who worked closely with me and Labor in the development of trade and investment policy over the past three years. Finally, I thank my Caucus colleagues for again placing their trust in me as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, and congratulate Senator Stephen Conroy on his re-election as Deputy Senate Leader.