Jacinta Allan reveals new-look cabinet seven months out from election
The Victorian government has announced its new-look cabinet following a wave of senior resignations earlier this week.
Suddenly on Monday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Minister of Health and the Ministers for Skills and TAFE announced that they would not seek re-election in November and would finish their terms on the backbenches.
These three departures added to the vacancy created when senior minister Natalie Hutchins made the same move in December.
Announcing the changes on Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said the appointments reflected a focus on “making life easier, safer and more affordable”.
“My work team has a unity of purpose driven by our values. This is a new team with new energy and new solutions.”
Ms Allan lost a key ally this week when Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas tackled the issue; Harriet Shing has been dropped from the massive Suburban Rail Loop portfolio to take over the health ministry.
Another close ally of the Prime Minister, Nick Staikos, will now be responsible for the railway project.
Finance Minister Danny Pearson also resigned from the front row on Monday; He has been replaced by Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny, making him the executive government’s top lawyer, Minister of Finance, Minister of Planning and Minister of Violence Reduction.
Minister for Defense Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks now has responsibility for the skills and TAFE portfolio.
Ms Hutchins’ civil services portfolio goes to new Private Secretary of State Ingrid Stitt.
The appointment of MP and former union secretary Luba Grigorovitch has attracted considerable attention from political observers, given her friendship with former CFMEU boss John Setka.
Ms. Grigorovitch, who rose to the front row Tuesday, defended that friendship.
“I don’t walk away. I don’t leave my friends alone when things get tough, but I haven’t talked to John in a very long time,” he said.
“I have a very strong and proud history of advocating for working people every day, and I continue to do that every day in the west. And now I have the opportunity to step forward as a minister.”
On Wednesday, it was announced that Ms Grigorovitch would become Minister for Youth, Carers and Volunteers.
