The National and Liberal parties announced on Wednesday, May 28, they had struck a deal to reunite, only a week after the Nationals said they were ending the Coalition agreement.
Mr Birrell was told by party leader David Littleproud on Tuesday night he had been made Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Health.
Although he had no say in the final distribution of portfolios, Mr Birrell said he was happy to serve with education and health.
“Access and equity in education and health are important issues for regional communities and I welcome the opportunity to add a strong regional voice to policy considerations,” Mr Birrell said.
“One of the key issues confronting regional communities is maintaining a strong workforce — we need to train and keep qualified people working in the regions, but we also need to focus on producing the workforce of the future.”
The elevation puts him closer to the party leadership and in a more influential position in the party.
Mr Birrell, a former agronomist, who studied applied science at Melbourne University’s Dookie campus, was elected to parliament in 2022.
Mr Birrell was re-elected at the recent election with 46 per cent of the vote in Nicholls, almost double the result of his nearest rival, the ALP candidate.
Opposition leader and Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley unveiled a joint shadow cabinet and ministry alongside Mr Littleproud, who keeps the agriculture portfolio.
Water, fisheries and forestry will be Ross Caldwell’s responsibility, trade stays with Kevin Hogan and Bridget McKenzie is Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke said he looked forward to working with the Coalition team on behalf of farmers and regional communities.
“As always, we will work closely with the Federal Government, Opposition and crossbench to make sure farmers are at the heart of policy discussions,” he said.
“We'll continue to progress the goals of our members, farmers and regional communities.”
Former Nationals leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack have been dumped from the shadow ministry, after the pair publicly criticised Mr Littleproud’s handling of the Coalition relationship.
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