Butler named one of the country’s 10 most powerful people

One member of the judging panel called him ‘a policy genius’ and ‘the most powerful factional figure in the caucus’.

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Federal minister for health Mark Butler has been named as one of the country’s most powerful people for the first time.

The Australian Financial Review published the list this morning as the culmination of its “most powerful” series. 

Mr Butler came in seventh on the list dominated by his federal cabinet colleagues.

“Butler has long been in Albanese’s inner circle; when senior ministers were on the move during the campaign, it was [Senator Katy] Gallagher and Butler who most often hitched a ride on the PM’s plane,” said the AFR.

With the addition of the NDIS into the Health and Ageing portfolio, Mr Butler is now responsible for about 40% of federal government spending.

“Mark is responsible for delivering on Labor’s election commitments in health, which were the most popular part of our policy platform,” said Katie Connolly, director of KCB Mason, and former director of the prime minister’s strategic communications.

“Plus he’s been good friends with Anthony for a very long time.”

Phil Coorey, the AFR’s political editor, said:

“He’s got a massive responsibility fixing the NDIS. It is the biggest budget challenge that the government faces.

“Not only is he a policy genius, he’s the most powerful factional figure in the caucus. He runs the Left, and the Left is in majority.

“And at the end of the day, when Albo sits in his office with a cigar and a brandy, there’s Penny [Wong] and Katy and Mark sitting there.”

Members of the Albanese government dominated the list:

1. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (1st in 2024);
2. Treasurer Jim Chalmers (5th in 2024);
3. Foreign minister Senator Penny Wong (3^rd in 2024);
4. ACTU national secretary Sally McManus (8^th in 2024);
5. Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock (2^nd in 2024);
6. Deputy PM Richard Marles (6^th in 2024);
7. Health minister Mark Butler (first appearance);
8. CEO of the CBA Matt Comyn (1^st on corporate list in 2024);
9. Premier of WA Roger Cook (first appearance);
10. Happy Hour podcast influencers Lucy Jackson and Nikki Westcott (first appearance).