Albanese’s cabinet shuffle: Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor exit—what’s next? 04:27

Anthony Albanese will reshuffle his cabinet Sunday. We broke that yesterday afternoon. And he has today, the Prime Minister, confirmed this with the retirement of both Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor. Now, I've had enough to do with Linda Burney over the years, both in Canberra and in New South Wales Parliament, that I can say hand on heart about Linda Burney. She is a fundamentally decent human being.

Sure, the voice didn't work out, but Linda Burney has dedicated her life to improving the lot of Aboriginal Australians, and for that she should be praised and commended. Two people who have made an outstanding contribution to our government and to our country are standing with me here today in Linda Burney and Brennan O'Connor. I am proud to call them my friends. I'm proud...

to have witnessed firsthand their passion for this nation, their determination to leave the country better for their contribution as members of parliament and as ministers. Now, Senator Nambajimpa Pryor, she echoed both the Prime Minister and my sentiments there about Linda Burney, at least. And she said this, quote,

While we have often differed in our views of how to best end Indigenous disadvantage, Minister Burney's career has been driven by a burning desire to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.

When the day comes that Indigenous Australians have the same life expectations as every other Australian, it will be in part due to Minister Bernie's dedication in area of politics filled with difficult and harrowing realities. All class. Senator Jacinta Nambajimba-Price there. But what does all of this mean, right? So Linda Bernie and Brendan O'Connor, they're out. So who's in?

Now, there are at least two cabinet spots up for grabs now heading into the next election, either late this year or early next year. As I told you yesterday, Andrew Giles, he'll be moved from immigration. He'll stay, of course, in the ministry, but he will be moved from immigration. And there's some talk, too, that Claire O'Neill will be shifted from Home Affairs. Now, I've been told the two potential options for Home Affairs if Claire O'Neill is moved aside. These are the two options.

Tony Burke, who did it before under Kevin Rudd, Mark Two. You know, he was the architect of the anybody who comes here by boat will never ever be granted residency or citizenship to Australia. That was Tony Burke, whether he believes it or not, I don't know. And Mark Butler. Now, there is chat about Mark Butler and Claire O'Neill just doing a simple swap. So you have Claire O'Neill taking health and Mark Butler taking health.

Home Affairs. I've been vocal. I reckon Mark Butler's one of the best performers in the Albanese government. Great communicator and seemingly someone who can get things done. You don't see a whole lot of problems in the federal health space, do you? Because Butler does a good job. Now, I'm told on pretty good authority, Jenny McAllister, she's a senator, and the wife of John Graham, the roads minister here in New South Wales, just to add, she's likely to be elevated into cabinet, Jenny McAllister.

And maybe to Jed Carney from Victoria. Now, that is because both Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor are from the Labor left faction in New South Wales and Victoria. And the rules dictate the replacements must be from the same factions from the same state. So you've got to understand this about Labor, right? Labor cabinets have nothing to do with talent or merit. The rules are the factions and the states get a certain number of positions.

So it doesn't matter how bad or how good you are. What matters is within Labor is what faction you are in and who is in front of you in the line in that faction. So ultimately it means this. The Albanese government, his cabinet, it will be changing as he heads to the next election. But is it enough to save their electoral prospects? What do you reckon? 131873 can shuffling around the chairs...

Can it fix Anthony Albanese's problems? Does it make a fresh team make it more likely he will be re-elected at the next election? Or do you think he is just on the downward spiral and that cannot be arrested?