The shadow cabinet is the highest level of the shadow ministry (or "opposition frontbench"), which also includes other less senior shadow ministers (equivalent to the government's "outer ministry") and shadow assistant ministers. The members of the shadow ministry are assigned one or more portfolios, usually though not necessarily corresponding to an existing ministerial portfolio within the government. They serve as the opposition's chief spokespeople on matters within their portfolio, and during parliamentary question time may direct questions at their government equivalent. If the opposition forms government, such as through winning a federal election, it is typical for members of the shadow ministry to retain the same portfolio.
According to Bateman (2008), the shadow cabinet exists as a "recognised component of the parliamentary system" but "the functions, roles and practices of the Shadow Cabinet are far less clear than those of the Cabinet".[1]
The role of the shadow ministry in making opposition policy has varied.[2]
Meetings of shadow cabinet are less formal than actual cabinet meetings, typically lasting a shorter time.[3]
History
In May 1965, the Australian Labor Party Caucus voted to establish a formal shadow ministry of 25 members.[4] This replaced an earlier "opposition executive" consisting of 14 members.[5]
Since 1987, the shadow ministry has had at least as many members as the ministry, and sometimes more. Shadow parliamentary secretaries (known as shadow assistant ministers since 2016) were first appointed in 1990.[6]
As of July 2019[update], ordinary shadow ministers were entitled to either a 20 or 25 percent loading on top of the base parliamentary salary. The loading depends on the number of shadow ministers. Officeholders within the opposition receive higher loadings, up to 87 percent for the leader of the opposition.[8] Historically, ordinary shadow ministers received no additional salary compared to backbenchers but were granted an additional staffing allowance.[9]
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