The new Federal Labor leader, Bill Shorten has announced the final makeup of his shadow Cabinet.

Mr Shorten says his team is young but experienced and is ready to take on the Abbott Government.

Liana Bignall reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Labor Leader, Bill Shorten says his new team is younger, they’re all working parents and almost half are women.

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “I believe this shadow executive is a break from the past, more women than ever before, younger than ever before.”

Deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek will take on Julie Bishop as the shadow minister for foreign affairs.

She says the job is more than just communicating with other countries.

Tanya Plibersek, Deputy Leader: “But also, Australia’s place in the world, the type of country we want to be, the kind of influence we want to have internationally.”

Chris Bowen is shadow treasurer and Stephen Conroy is Labor’s new defence spokesman.

Tony Burke has taken Penny Wong’s job as minister for finance, while Senator Wong becomes the minister for trade and investment.

Leader challenger Anthony Albanese will oversee infrastructure, transport and tourism while Mark Butler takes on the difficult climate change portfolio.

Bill Shorten says his shadow cabinet is “young, energetic and diverse.”

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “Not only are we in a position to hold the Abbott government to account, but formulate policies which help the future of this country.”

Labor’s new front bench will get its first chance to tackle the Abbott Government when Parliament returns on November the 12th.

Liana Bignall, QUT News.