14:56 AEDST Sun 25 Nov 2001

A dozen new faces dominate the Labor shadow ministry, announced today by Opposition Leader Simon Crean.

The move follows the decision of many Labor veterans to return to the backbench to allow the newcomers to gain hands-on experience.

Rather than taking the high-profile treasury spot, Deputy Leader Jenny Macklin instead gains Employment, Education, Training and Science.

The Treasury, Finance and Small Business shadow ministry goes to well-regarded Labor tactician Bob McMullan.

Heading the newcomers is Queensland Labor MP Kevin Rudd who is taking the Foreign Affairs portfolio.

Victorian Labor MP Julia Gillard gains the contentious Population and Immigration shadow ministry while former WA premier Carmen Lawrence takes Reconciliation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, the Arts, and Status of Women.

Craig Emerson takes the important Industry, Trade and Tourism position.

Returning from exile on the backbench, Mark Latham becomes Assistant Treasurer.

Former family services and aged spokesman Senator Chris Evans makes a substantial move to take over the Defence portfolio from Stephen Martin.

Lindsay Tanner, previously finance and consumer affairs spokesman, takes Communications.

Mr Crean said this was the best possible team to take Labor into government in three years time.

"Labor's shadow ministry is designed to use our talents to the fullest and the structure of the front bench gives each shadow minister the opportunity to deploy their considerable talents to the greatest effect," he said in a statement.

Ms Macklin earlier confirmed Mr Crean had allowed her to choose whatever portfolios she wanted and she had knocked back treasury despite holding a degree in economics.

"He was very straight forward and made it plain that I could choose the portfolio where I thought I could make the best contribution," Ms Macklin told Channel Nine.

"The important thing to say about why I've chosen this portfolio is because I think if we're to have a modern economy we can't just be about pulling the monetary and fiscal levers.

"We've really got to recognise that unless we invest in education and invest seriously in education, we're not going to have a prosperous economy.

"We're not going to have the jobs of the future."

©AAP 2001