Re-elected Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King has been appointed Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in the Albanese Government.
King has hit the ground running and there are already a number of infrastructure and regional development announcements on her website.
She has previously indicated a strong commitment to a partnership with the Victorian Government for the Ballarat focus for the Commonwealth Games and the opportunity to create ongoing social assets like sporting facilities for the community.
The new Federal Government has also made commitments to increased regional road funding and the establishment of urgent care clinics that are likely to benefit the Ballarat region, including Hepburn Springs.
King is one of 10 women in the new government’s cabinet. She held the shadow portfolio  for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development in opposition and she has previously been a parliamentary secretary for health.
In practice, King is likely to focus more on infrastructure and transport. She has Kristy McBain has her junior minister with responsibility for regional development, local government and territories. McBain, who holds the marginal seat of Eden Monaro, has a background as a Councillor and Mayor of the Shire of Bega in New South Wales
The new ministry is the most diverse and representative in Australia’s history. In addition to the increase in the number of women, it includes ministers from a much broader range of backgrounds than the previous Morrison government.
