South West MPs rewarded with front bench roles in Dutton’s shadow cabinet

Two South West Liberal MPs lucky enough to retain their seats in the Federal election “red slide” have been rewarded with assistant minister roles in the shadow cabinet. O’Connor MHR Rick Wilson was handed the role of shadow assistant trade minister, while Forrest MHR Nola Marino will take over the role of shadow assistant education minister. Mrs Marino held the role of chief government whip from 2015 to 2019, serving as assistant minister for regional development and Territories under the Morrison government from 2019 until the May election. “I am very pleased to serve as shadow assistant minister for education, having an enduring interest in this portfolio in relation to rural and regional Australia, such as better access to Youth Allowance,” Mrs Marino said. “I will continue my advocacy for cyber-safety awareness in schools, as well as broader issues in education, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the Coalition shadow ministry.” Mr Wilson said he felt privileged being asked to serve in the shadow cabinet. “It’s a privilege to be asked to serve in this role as shadow assistant trade minister by the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton,” Mr Wilson said. “Australia has always been a trading nation, and a key part of my role will be to ensure the new Government continues to build upon the great work done by the Coalition over the past nine years, in opening up new market and trade opportunities. “While I will be viewing the role from an Australia-wide perspective, trade is also vitally important for the mining, agricultural, manufacturing and tourism sectors across my electorate of O’Connor.” Fellow West Australian MP and former SAS captain Andrew Hastie has been named in Mr Dutton’s front bench, the Canning MHR to serve as shadow defence minister. Melissa Price and Linda Reynolds, both former ministers in the Morrison government, did not receive roles in the Dutton shadow cabinet.