Former ACT chief minister Katy Gallagher has been promoted to leader of opposition business in the Senate, replacing Sam Dastyari who resigned last week after an ongoing donations scandal.
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The role will pit her against manager of government business in the Senate Mitch Fifield, who she famously accused of mansplaining in a heated debate last year.
Senator Gallagher was appointed to the role by the leader of opposition in the Senate Penny Wong and said the promotion was "very unexpected".
"Part of the new job is to ensure business in the Senate runs as smoothly as possible and I'm sure that Mitch Fifield and I will work constructively and professionally to make sure that happens," she said.
Ms Gallagher will continue to work as the opposition's spokeswoman for small business and financial services. She was promoted to the shadow cabinet after less than two years in federal politics.
Senator Gallagher served as ACT chief minister from 2011 until late 2014 when she replaced Katy Lundy in the upper house.