BRISBANE TIMES: Prime Minister Julia Gillard has left her predecessor Kevin Rudd out of her new cabinet but says she would be ''absolutely delighted'' to see him serve as a senior minister if the government is re-elected.
Ms Gillard unveiled her new cabinet in Canberra this afternoon, with few changes announced to the frontbench. She said Mr Rudd would be accommodated as a senior minister if the Labor government won the next election.
''It is best to have as limited a reshuffle as possible to keep the maximum stability in the team,'' she added. Instead, Ms Gillard has handed her own portfolios of education, employment, workplace relations and social inclusion to former Labor leader Simon Crean.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith will take on the added role of Mr Crean's portfolio of trade.
Ms Gillard said Mr Smith had been doing a ‘‘great job’’ as foreign minister.
Ms Gillard said she had spoken to Mr Rudd about his future and he had confirmed he would run for his seat at the next election.
‘‘Consequently what I have said to Kevin Rudd is I would be absolutely delighted to see him serve as a senior cabinet minister in the team if the government is re-elected,’’ she said. Gillard leaves Rudd out of reshuffled cabinet >>> Tim Lester and Phillip Coorey | Monday, June 28, 2010
