Federal Member for Gorton Brendan O’Connor was promoted to Minister for Home Affairs in the weekend reshuffle of the Rudd Government Ministry.

Announcing Mr O’Connor’s promotion on Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described Home Affairs as a “critical portfolio with responsibility for policing and law enforcement and the administration of Australian territories.”

“Mr O’Connor’s wealth of experience from his strong handling of the employment participation role during the global recession positions him very well to take on this critical national security role,” Mr Rudd said.

 “It is a great privilege to be offered a role that has the security of our nation as its central role.” said Brendan O’Connor.

“I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon. Bob Debus MP, who has undertaken significant work while demonstrating skill, commitment and great judgement in this vital area of public policy.

“Bob Debus has used his considerable political and policy experience to successfully administer the complex and often challenging task of overseeing the Home Affairs portfolio.

“I would like to congratulate Senator Mark Arbib for his appointment as Minister for Employment Participation and wish him every success in implementing the Rudd Government’s reforms to employment services including disability employment services.

“I would also like to thank the many stakeholders from community and welfare organisations, employment service providers and their peak associations, employer groups, unions and job seekers themselves who have worked with Government to put these reforms into action.

“The Government’s $4.9 billion employment services are frontline in our efforts to support those who, through no fault of their own, have lost their job or are finding it hard to get work as a result of the global recession.

“The hard work and dedication of employment service providers to provide this support to out of work Australians should be acknowledged.

“I would like to also thank the dedicated public servants from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations who have worked tirelessly to help the Government fulfil a key election commitment to review and reform employment services.