Butler climbs the power ladder

If he’s looking to quell leadership ambition speculation, the Australian Financial Review power list has done health minister Mark Butler no favours.

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Federal health minister Mark Butler has been named the third most powerful person in Australia, behind only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and treasurer Jim Chalmers. 

Health Services Daily has previously reported speculation about Mr Butler’s ambitions for leadership of the Australian Labor Party, with the minister vigorously denying those ambitions.  

Today’s ranking on the Australian Financial Review’s 10 Most Powerful People in 2026 list won’t do anything to squelch that speculation.  

AFR’s political editor Phillip Coorey described Mr Butler as “an absolute factional animal”. 

“It’s rare to find a politician who is that powerful factionally [and] who’s very good on policy,” said Coorey.  

“He reformed aged care under Julia Gillard. He’s had to do it again under this lot and now he’s got the toughest budget challenge of all, which is the NDIS.  

“And he’s publicly presentable.  

“They wheel him out all the time on breakfast television now because he’s a good spokesman, but he’s an absolute factional animal.” 

Other judges on the AFR’s panel said Mr Butler’s special skill was bringing his colleagues along with him on the reform road. 

“Keeping colleagues with him [while he executes on his reforms] is going to be a much more difficult task,” said former Liberal cabinet minister Kelly O’Dwyer. 

Last year Mr Butler was seventh on the list in his first appearance in the top 10. He has leapt over Senator Penny Wong, ACTU national secretary Sally McManus, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock and deputy PM Richard Marles in 2026. 

Members of the Albanese government continue to dominate the list: 

1. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (1^st in 2025) 

2. Treasurer Jim Chalmers (2^nd in 2025) 

3. Health minister Mark Butler (7^th in 2025) 

4. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (n/a in 2025) 

5. Foreign minister Penny Wong (3^rd in 2025) 

6. Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock (5^th in 2025) 

7. Deputy PM Richard Marles (6^th in 2025) 

8. Former ACTU secretary Sally McManus (4^th in 2025) 

9. Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn (8^th in 2025) 

10. Independent Senator David Pocock (n/a in 2025)