Media Release
ACS welcomes new Albanese Ministry
Tech sector looks for increased focus from refreshed Cabinet
12 May 2025
The Australian Computer Society (ACS), the professional association for Australia's technology sector, welcomes the announcement of Prime Minister Albanese's new Cabinet, highlighting the opportunities for the technology sector to work with the refreshed ministerial team.
ACS Chief Executive Officer, Josh Griggs, said the Society was looking forward to continuing its productive relationship with the Albanese government in driving Australia's digital economy.
"ACS looks forward to continuing our work with the Albanese government in helping Australia reap the opportunities from emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and use technology to boost the nation's productivity and well-being," Mr. Griggs said.
"We're particularly pleased with the reappointments of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, both of whom we've established excellent relationships with during the last Parliament.
"We're also excited to have Tim Ayres becoming Industry and Innovation Minister to continue building Australia's 21st Century industry capabilities that was started by the previous Minister, Ed Husic.
"Ed was a strong, long-standing advocate for the nation's tech sector and we hope to be supporting him in his future projects across the IT industry.
"We're also pleased to see Anika Wells take the Communications portfolio and the promotion of Andrew Charlton to Assistant Minister for Science and Technology.
"ACS will be working across all portfolios to ensure every Australian benefits from the 21st Century, digital economy."
ACS President, Helen McHugh MACS (Snr), CP, also expressed her views on the new appointments.
"I'm delighted to see a mix of new and familiar faces in the line-up of the new Albanese Ministry and ACS is looking forward to continuing our engagement with leaders like the Assistant Prime Minister, Richard Marles, and Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke," Ms McHugh said.
"The addition of Anika Wells and Tim Ayres to the Communications and the Industry and Innovation portfolios will see some new opportunities for the ICT sector along with the range of Assistant Ministers who we're looking forward to working with on specific areas of the Industry, Finance and Immigration Portfolios.
"While I am pleased to see the strong team advocating technology in the new Cabinet, I am saddened with the news of Ed Husic MP being dropped from the Federal Labor cabinet. Ed has been a great champion of this country's tech industry, and I truly hope we'll be working with him to ensure the importance of tech as a contributor to the Australian economy is not lost as it has in the past."
-ENDS-
Director of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy
ACS is the voice of Australia’s technology sector, representing over 47,000 technology professionals across all industries and across the nation.
Our members work in industry, education, government, and the community delivering the digital services that drive the nation and provide the high-skilled jobs of today and tomorrow.
ACS works to grow the technology sector while making sure IT professionals act ethically, responsibly, and in keeping with the best interests of not only their employers, but the wider community.
Through our network of branches in every state and Territory, our innovation labs, education programs and our history of over fifty years, ACS works to help all Australians be part of the nation’s highest growth sector. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.