By Callum Godde, Aap
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s first cabinet has been sworn in, a week after Daniel Andrews’ shock resignation and a day before parliament returns.
Victoria’s new ministry has been named, with changes to the transport, education, housing, children and jobs portfolios.
Her deputy Ben Carroll will become Minister for Education and Medical Research.
Tim Pallas, who vied for the deputy premier role, will stay on as Treasurer.
His assistant treasurer Danny Pearson will now also take on Ms Allan’s old portfolios of transport infrastructure, Suburban Rail Loop.
Mr Carroll’s replacement as Public Transport Minister will be Gabrielle Williams, while Natalie Hutchins is swapping education for jobs and industry, women and returns to the Treaty and First Peoples portfolio.
Housing Minister Colin Brooks will become Minister for Development Victoria, Precincts and Creative Industries.
Harriet Shing is the new Housing Minister.
To make a priority of supporting children and families a policy priority, Lizzie Blandthorn will become Minister for Children, bringing together the work across government on education and the protection system.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos will also become Environment Minister, replacing Ingrid Stitt who is in charge of mental health, aging and multicultural affairs.
Eltham MP Vicki Ward was elevated into cabinet, filling Mr Andrews’ vacant spot, as Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Employment.
Ms Allan was last week sworn in as Victoria’s second woman leader and the first Labor premier from regional Victoria in almost 100 years.
Ms Allan, who like Mr Andrews is from the party’s left faction, was officially elected to the position unopposed less than 24 hours after his shock resignation.
The leadership selection could have dragged on for weeks after Mr Carroll threw his hat in the ring for the top job.
It would have forced a vote of rank-and-file members under party rules introduced in response to tensions between former prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
Ultimately, Mr Carroll withdrew his nomination and emerged unopposed as deputy premier.
His taking on of education is a return of the portfolio to the deputy premier.
James Merlino also held the role while deputy until his retirement in 2022 when Ms Allan became deputy and retained her transport infrastructure duties.
