BCCM congratulates Labor’s newly appointed shadow Cabinet Ministers

03 June 2019

BCCM looks forward to working with the Opposition Front Bench Ministers.

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) today congratulated and welcomed Labor’s Front Bench Ministers. BCCM looks forward to working with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and his newly appointed shadow Cabinet.

“We are pleased that Labor has chosen a strong Front Bench and look forward to working with the new shadow Ministers to bring about the necessary changes co-ops and mutuals need in order to work to their full potential. Labor showed real commitment to our sector before the election and acknowledged the community focus our businesses have,” said Melina Morrison, BCCM’s CEO.

“In particular, we congratulate and look forward to working with shadow Health Minister Chris Bowen to show him the way HCF and NHC have created a health care model that keeps their members at the forefront. We know that Aging and Seniors Minister Julie Collins would like to know more about the way our members The Co-operative Life and Australian Unity have put their members first and are offering unbeatable care. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten already knows that co-ops put members first but we will show him consumer centred care models that can truly change the lives of disabled Australians and their families.”

“We will work with agricultural members like CBH, Northern Co-op Meat Company, AlmondCo, Oz Group, Norco and Yenda producers and shadow Agricultural Minister Joel Fitzgibbon and shadow Regional Development Minister Catherine King to ensure this huge sector that is mostly co-operatively run receives the change it desperately needs. We will show Regional Services and Housing Minister Jason Clare the different models that are possible to provide affordable housing for communities,” Ms Morrison said.

BCCM welcomes shadow Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and Employment and Industry Minister Brendan O’Connor. We look forward to showing how a co-operative model can be model for aspirational Australians to scale their businesses while putting employees and members first. By sharing ownership and the rewards of business amongst workers and members, co-operatives and mutuals create a fairer economy where everyone wins.

BCCM also congratulates shadow Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh on his appointment with responsibilities for Treasury and Charities. BCCM acknowledges and thanks Dr Leigh on his extensive work with our sector on access to capital changes before the election and look forward to continuing working with him.

“We are appreciative of the bipartisan support we have received and we look forward to working with both the Government and the Opposition in the next phase of our reforms,” Ms Morrison said.