Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed Andrew Giles MP as the new Skills and Training Minister, succeeding Brendan O’Connor, who announced his retirement last week in July.
Mr Giles has transitioned from his previous role in the immigration portfolio. The Skills and Training portfolio has also been moved to an out of cabinet position, with the sector now being represented in cabinet by Senator Murray Watt, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.
First elected to the Australian Parliament as the Member for Scullin in 2013, Mr Giles has a rich background in advocating for workers’ rights. Before his parliamentary career, he specialised in employment law as a solicitor, advocating on behalf of asylum seekers on the MV Tampa and serving in the Victorian Government.
Energy Skills Australia is eager to collaborate with Mr Giles as he navigates the extensive and complex Skills and Training portfolio, with a particular focus on the energy sector.