Have Your Say

McCORMACK WELCOMES APPOINTMENT TO SHADOW MINISTRY

16 March 2026

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has been appointed to the Coalition’s new Shadow Ministry, taking on the key responsibilities of Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Shadow Minister for Water.

Mr McCormack said he was honoured to serve Australians in this capacity, under new Leader of the Nationals Matt Canavan and Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor.

“Serving the people of the Riverina, the Parliament and the nation is an important honour and I am pleased to do so in these important portfolio areas,” Mr McCormack said.

“There are more than half a million Australians who have served or are currently serving in our Defence Force and I pledge to them that I will work hard to help deliver better outcomes for them.

“As a former Veterans’ Affairs Minister, I understand the needs and concerns in the portfolio and intend to, as always, be accessible to listen to Veterans and stakeholders.

“My hometown of Wagga Wagga is a tri-garrison city, with all three arms of the Defence Force present as well as a significant Veteran population throughout the Riverina electorate.”

Mr McCormack said the Water portfolio held particular significance for regional Australia, especially for communities across the Riverina.

“Given the Riverina region’s deep connection to the Murray-Darling Basin, I am well placed to listen to river communities affected by Labor’s terrible management of water at the cost of the livelihoods of so many regional Australians,” Mr McCormack said.

“Our agricultural prosperity relies on secure water resources and so does our economy. There remains a strong need for practical, regionally focused solutions, water storage construction and improved support.

“I’m on the record saying water buybacks is lazy policy and I will be pushing for a better outcome for the regional communities that bear the brunt of these bad policies.

“The Nationals will always fight for the regions and I am looking forward to taking on my new responsibilities to continue fiercely advocating for people to fight for what they need, want, expect and deserve.”

Mr McCormack’s appointment builds on more than a decade of experience as a senior member of the Coalition team. Since entering Parliament in 2010, he has held an extensive list of portfolios, including: Deputy Prime Minister; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC; Minister for Small Business; Assistant Minister for Defence; Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister; and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance.

Mr McCormack also served as the Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific in the previous Parliament.

SEARCH WEBSITE