National Information Note Deputy CEO Julie Abramson 25 March ...

CCF NATIONAL OFFICEABN 41 639 349 450Level 1, 210 High StreetKew VIC 3101P (03) 9851 9900F (03) 9851 9999E ccfnat@civilcontractors.comwww.civilcontractors.comNational Information NoteDeputy CEO Julie Abramson25 March 2013Labor Party Leadership – Ministerial Reshuffle and Ministerial resignations.The Labor leadership issue has been the subject of fevered speculation over thelast two weeks since Parliament resumed. Importantly the outcome of a leadershipballot was no change (and indeed no ballot occurred) – Julia Gillard retains theconfidence of colleagues as leader and PM and Wayne Swan as Treasurer.In the end Kevin Rudd did not put his name forward and the Prime Minister wasreturned unopposed.One change that will impact our members is the loss of Minister Crean from hisPortfolio of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government. Thiswas consequent upon his actions in asking for a spill of all leadership positions andindicating he would nominate as a Deputy Leader calling on Rudd to stand asLeader.Minister Crean had been a very strong supporter of our industry and CCF and wehave lost a Minister who had a genuine interest in infrastructure development andregional Australia where so many of our members live and work.His Portfolio has been allocated to Minister Albanese who is now Minister forRegional Development and Local Government as well as Infrastructure andTransport. This is a very welcome appointment as we have worked veryconstructively with the Minister and his office for a number of years.Chris Bowen, Minister, Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research has beenreplaced by Craig Emerson. Minister Emerson also retains his current portfolios ofMinister for Trade and Competitiveness and Minister assisting the Prime Ministeron Asian Century PolicyMartin Ferguson the former Minister Energy, Resources and Tourism who alsoresigned has been replaced by Minster Gary Gray who is elevated to Cabinet asMinister for Resources, Minister for Tourism and Minister for Small Business.This is also very warmly welcomed. Minister Gray has been continuouslysupportive of CCF and we look forward to working with him in his new Portfolio.

CCF would particularly like to welcome the new Ministers but to also thankMinisters Bowen, Crean and Ferguson who have always had time for CCF and ourindustry.The Prime Minister’s Media Release is available at: http://www.pm.gov.au/pressoffice/changes-ministry-2With these changes CCF is focused on ensuring that the issues we care about arethe subject of serious policy consideration and we will keep working hard tosupport your interests.