Cabinet Reshuffle: Victoria

On Monday 16^th December, Treasurer Tim Pallas announced his resignation from Treasurer and as Member for Werribee, calling time on his distinguished career in politics, serving in Parliament since 2006 and as Treasurer since 2014. As a result of Pallas’ resignation, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced a reshuffle of her frontbench on the 19^th December 2024. 

Jaclyn Symes is taking on the role of Treasurer, the first female Treasurer in Victoria’s history, and the most recent Upper House Member to take on the role since former Treasurer John Lenders. Symes also takes on the Industrial Relations and Regional Development portfolios. 

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll retains the Education portfolio and adds the role of Minister for WorkSafe and TAC to his responsibilities. Harriet Shing takes on the roles of Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, and Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts, highlighting the Government’s desire to make the Suburban Rail Loop part of the broader Housing agenda, and focus on delivering the activity centres announced by the Premier earlier this year.  

Colin Brooks takes on Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, adding to his current role as Minister for Creative Industries. Meanwhile Anthony Carbines takes on the roles of Minister for Community Safety and Minister for Victims on top of his current role as Minister for Police, as part of the Governments response to increasing criticism on its response to crime.  

Enver Erdogan takes on the role of Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, a role he picks up from Mellisa Horne, who adds Minister for Health Infrastructure to her Portfolios. This is part of a broader shake-up to the health ministries, with Vicki Ward taking on the Emergency Services Portfolio. Mary-Anne Thomas remains the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services. As well as her Emergency Services Portfolio, Ward also takes on the Natural Disaster Recovery Portfolio, and becomes the Minister for Equality. 

Danny Pearson has been given the roles of Minister for Finance, and Minister for Economic Jobs and Growth, only a week after the Government released its Economic Development Statement, responding to growing criticism that Victoria is not an attractive place for companies to do business.  

Natalie Hutchins retains the Treaty and First People’s Portfolio, allowing continuity while the Government enters treaty negotiations, and also keeps the Minister for Women portfolio. She takes on the roles of Minister for Government Services, and Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence roles. 

Sonya Kilkenny keeps her role as planning, an important position after the Government’s latest announcements about sweeping changes to the planning system to accommodate its housing policies, but Kilkenny also takes on the role of Attorney-General.  

Gabrielle Williams gets a promotion, taking on the role of Minister Transport Infrastructure, as the Government faces further criticism for its spending on major infrastructure projects, and delayed delivery of some of its signature Big Build projects.  

Gayle Tierney takes Minister for Water, and Natalie Suleyman takes on the role of Minister for Small Business and Employment.  

Nick Staikos has been promoted to the frontbench, having recently served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Staikos is the latest edition to the Ministry, taking on the portfolio of Consumer Affairs, and the role as Minister for Local Government. 

Parliamentary Secretary Arrangements 

There has also been significant movement in the roles of Parliamentary Secretaries, with Kat Theophanous being announced as the first Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Renters, and Katie Hall adding the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Housing to her roles, once again highlighting the Premier and Government’s commitment to providing solutions to the housing crisis. 

Luba Grigorovitch also takes on a promotion, becoming Parliamentary Secretary for Outdoor Recreation, a role to help encourage Victorians and tourists to enjoy outdoor activities and take up the recent offer from the Victorian Government, making camping over summer free at certain locations over summer.  

Tim Richardson takes on the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, while Paul Edbrooke adds the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to his role as Secretary to the Treasurer. 

Bronwyn Halfpenny takes on the role as Parliamentary Secretary for roads, while Paul Hamer takes on her old role as Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs. Michaela Settle takes on the roles as Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria, and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Sport.  

Iwan Walters takes on the role as Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs. Sheena Watt, Nina Taylor, Nathan Lambert, Josh Bull and Christine Couzens all keep their current Parliamentary Secretary roles.  

A full breakdown of the Ministry and Parliamentary Secretary changes can be found below.  

See the Premier’s full media release here. 

For more information, please contact Hawker Britton’s Victorian Directors Andy Gargett on +61 427 552 980 and Emma Webster on +61 3 9034 3020.  

Allan Ministry | December 2024 

Parliamentary Secretaries