In light of Tony Abbott's recent cabinet reshuffle, it can be tempting to view MPs through the prism of their titles or number of media appearances. But its often the case that the quietest operators working behind the scenes can have a greater and, at times more lethal impact than some cabinet ministers or opposition frontbenchers. On both side of politics there's plenty of talent to watch. Here, Fairfax Media takes a look at who you should be keeping an eye in Canberra in 2015:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
1) Catherine King
Labor Member for Ballarat, entered parliament in 2001
"Calm", "methodical" and "thorough" is how all governments like to describe themselves but they are the labels King's colleagues apply to her. The steady opposition health spokeswoman is a no bells or whistles-type of politician but has substance and packs a punch. She landed blows on the Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash over a chief-of-staff scandal before turning her sights on the GP co-payment. While a slug on pensioners and the poor was always going to be easy to oppose, there's no doubt the campaign was sustained by King's doggedness. A strong performer in question time and in the media, King is big talent among some of the more abrasive and mediocre performers on Labor's frontbench and definitely one to watch.
2) Dean Smith
Liberal Senator for Western Australia, entered parliament in 2012
It's difficult to see Dean Smith ever being promoted under Tony Abbott's leadership. But the softly spoken, openly gay and impeccably mannered West Australian is in politics for outcomes not titles, which makes him all the more influential and potentially dangerous. Smith, a critic of the Prime Minister's Paid Parental Leave scheme, is often grouped with regular dissenters Cory Bernardi and Ian MacDonald. But it would be foolish to discount the Senator as one of the disaffected. A stickler for core Liberal principles, when he defects from the government line, Mr Abbott's office fears more will follow.
3) Michelle Rowland
Labor Member for Greenway, entered parliament in 2010
A bit of luck can go a long way in politics. Labor's Michelle Rowland has had her share by facing off against Jaymes Diaz – who famously couldn't explain his party's asylum seeker policy – at the past two elections in her marginal western Sydney seat. But Rowland has made the most of her good fortune. The former lawyer has impressed her colleagues by taking it up to the government whenever possible as opposition spokeswoman on citizenship and multiculturalism as well as assistant spokeswoman for communications. Well-liked, articulate and energetic, Rowland could be put to even greater use by Labor. Unlike the legion of former political staffers in parliament, Rowland reflects the diversity of modern Australia. A one-time checkout chick with a Fijian mother, Rowland is a working mum who had to fight for her right to take time off from parliament in 2013 when her young daughter was ill.
4) Tim Watts
Labor Member for Gellibrand, entered parliament in 2013
Although he's a mere opposition backbencher in his first term in Parliament, Tim Watts stands out as one of Labor's most promising MPs. A former senior manager at Telstra with 10 years experience in the information and communications sector, Watts is one of the few politicians with a deep understanding of the new digital technologies. While other politicians stick to slogans, he has used Twitter cleverly to show off his sense of humour. Watts has also been a passionate advocate for action on the long overlooked issue of domestic violence. As well as co-founding a cross-parliamentary group on the issue, Watts has written and spoken regularly on the need for men to take responsibility for violence against women. As a former adviser to Victorian premier John Brumby and Stephen Conroy, Watts has strong experience inside the Labor machine and holds one of the safest Labor seats in the country, formerly held by Nicola Roxon. He's in it for the long-game.
5) Matthew Canavan
Liberal National Senator for Queensland, entered parliament in 2014
A most unusual Liberal National, Canavan is difficult to pigeonhole. Hailing from the Productivity Commission and entering parliament via a stint in Barnaby Joyce's office, Canavan is the next best thing in the Nationals. The 35-year-old filled the seat of Ron Boswell, who joined the Senate three years after Canavan was born. Charismatic and whip-smart, Canavan is destined to fill the void left in the Senate party room by Joyce and Boswell. 2015 is a year when the Nationals may push back against their bigger Liberal government partners. Canavan is earmarked to lead a wider push against renewable energy and declared in his maiden speech "cheap energy" is the priority over clean energy.
6) James McGrath
Liberal National Senator for Queensland, entered parliament in 2014
Anyone complaining about a lack of bold ideas in Australian politics must have missed James McGrath's maiden speech. The new senator stunned observers, and delighted his colleagues, by presenting a manifesto for radical change. On his agenda: lifting the GST to 15 per cent and applying it to everything, privatising the ABC's youth music station Triple J and abolishing the federal health and education departments. He quickly made good on his vow to tackle big government by introducing a bill to abolish the compulsory $281 student services fee for university students. While Labor's Doug Cameron may label him a "fruit loop" and a "Tea Party extremist", this Margaret Thatcher admirer is no naive newcomer. He made his name as director of political strategy for Boris Johnson on his successful campaign for London Mayor; he later oversaw Campbell Newman's 2012 election victory as campaign director and has served as the Liberal Party's deputy federal director. With his impeccable connections, strategic savvy and a willingness to take risks, there's no doubt McGrath will wield influence behind the scenes.
7) Linda Reynolds
Liberal Senator for Western Australia, entered parliament in 2014
Reynolds, the Army Reserve's first female Brigadier and former deputy federal director, is a smart political operator, according to one Liberal. She enjoys the backing of Julie Bishop and beat Mathias Cormann staffer, Slade Brockman, for preselection. An ally and Canberra flatmate of Dean Smith, Reynolds has already signalled she'll take a leading voice on gender issues and the number of young people with disabilities forced to live in aged care because of a lack of suitable residential care options. Reynolds is said to have spent her first few months sitting in the Senate watching and learning, resisting the temptation to arrive with a fanfare. Smart and going places.
8) Ed Husic
Labor Member for Chifley, entered parliament in 2010
Ed Husic is best known for being the first Muslim to be elected to federal parliament, but he is also considered one of Labor's most effective online communicators, with more than 16,000 followers on Twitter and a similar number on Facebook. Husic's clear-thinking approach to politics has gained him friends across both parties, including Liberal MP Josh Frydenbergt, the newly elected Assistant Treasurer, who defended Husic after being attacked online for taking his oath from the Koran. Husic describes himself as being "Blacktown through and through" and speaks openly about his faith. As a staunch defender of Sydney's western suburbs, Husic is against a second Sydney airport but has been spruiking a gleaming new metropolis in south-west Sydney to reduce gridlock.
9) Christian Porter
Liberal Member for Pearce, entered parliament in 2013
Christian Porter has been hailed as a potential future prime minister since his days as the Western Australian treasurer and attorney-general. Possessing sharp intelligence and quick wit, Porter was tipped as the future Western Australian premier until he moved into the federal arena in 2013. He has since been elevated to the prized position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister during the December reshuffle. Known for being a skilled orator, Porter has had an extensive legal career, having previously worked for Clayton Utz and as a senior state prosecutor. But his qualifications doesn't stop there – Porter has a Master of Science (Political Theory) from the London School of Economics. Porter is destined to play a big role in future parliaments.
10) Pat Conroy
Labor Member for Charlton, entered parliament in 2013
Hailing from the seaside city of Newcastle, Conroy is a man who cares about jobs and the union movement, having previously worked as a Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union official and Greg Combet's deputy chief of staff. Now as head of Labor's 'Waste Watch' committee, Conroy spends a lot of time keeping a careful eye on how much money his Coalition counterparts are spending (or wasting) money, making him a powerful enemy. In 2014 the committee revealed the Abbott government spent $24,000 on koalas for the G20 and hired a violin trio to play for the Indian Prime Minister at a cost of $11,594. Conroy is often mentioned in question time, mostly because he if regularly evicted. The owner of a hearty laugh, Conroy is considered honest and not afraid to admit when he or other MP may be wrong.
