Shorten moves up, and closer to top job

When Bill Shorten delivered his first speech to parliament in February 2008 he summarised his philosophy in three words: "Never give up."

"What I want to accomplish in my time in parliament rests upon understanding what lies ahead for Australia in the next three decades," the incoming Labor MP for the Victorian seat of Maribyrnong said.

With his elevation to federal cabinet on Monday, observers are now wondering whether his "never give up" catchphrase and 30-year political outlook point to him being on course to the Labor leadership.

Mr Shorten will take on a mega-portfolio, encompassing workplace relations, employment, financial services and superannuation.

Former Labor minister Barry Cohen says Mr Shorten's talents were obvious early on when Victorian colleagues made him a member of that state's powerful ALP administrative committee at age 22.

As a student at Monash University, Mr Shorten worked part-time for Labor minister Gareth Evans and after graduating in law he worked for 18 months as a lawyer dealing with industrial issues at Maurice Blackburn Cashman.

Elected Victorian state secretary of the Australian Workers Union in 1998, after four years as an organiser, he oversaw the union's renewal.

His talents were recognised by the AWU more broadly when he became national secretary in 2001.

Mr Shorten maintained a high profile in industrial circles, and as Victorian state president of the ALP, but it wasn't until the Beaconsfield mine collapse and rescue in 2006 that he made national headlines.

He rode the Ruddslide into parliament in November 2007, but despite talk of him joining the front bench immediately he was given the lesser job of parliamentary secretary for disabilities.

There was speculation at the time that Kevin Rudd deliberately kept the Right powerbroker out of the ministry and cabinet because of his long-term leadership ambitions.

But the 44-year-old MP was one of the so-called "faceless men" behind the coup that put Julia Gillard into the top job in June 2010.

Mr Shorten has used his time wisely as assistant treasurer, driving the government's move to boost superannuation contributions and set up a national disability insurance scheme - both popular measures which could boost Labor's chances at the next election.

He has also featured prominently in recent months during the Qantas dispute.

Speaking to reporters in Canberra on Monday after his promotion was announced, the minister ducked questions about being rewarded for his support for Ms Gillard.

"I am absolutely stoked that our prime minister has given me this privilege," he said.

As for the title "faceless man", it's one he wants to pass on to the opposition leader.

"Tony Abbott is the faceless man of industrial relations and he has faceless policies, but we all know they exist - we all know he wants to turn back the clock," Mr Shorten said.