The shadow government has appointed Luke Howarth as shadow assistant treasurer and shadow minister for financial services following the departure of Stuart Robert last May.
Robert departed last May after 16 years in Parliament, having served as shadow assistant treasurer and shadow minister for financial services from June 2022 to May 2023. He had also previously served as Assistant Treasurer from August 2018 to June 2019.
Howarth was elected to the House of Representatives for Petrie, Queensland, in 2013 and was the assistant minister for youth and employment services from 2020 to 2022.
In a statement, the Coalition government 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, who is also chair of the Senate standing committee on economics, will become 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,” said Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Bragg has recently conducted a Senate inquiry into ASIC and is due to present a final report on this in June.
Commenting, Senator Bragg said: “Home ownership is the largest issue for many Australians. Too many Australians feel the great Australian dream is out of reach and they will never own a home. It is unacceptable.
“Under Labor, the Australian dream is fast becoming the Australian nightmare and we must restore home ownership as achievable for the average worker.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop solutions to this wicked problem.”
