James Merlino, Martin Foley, Lisa Neville and Martin Pakula announce their retirement from state politics
Daniel Andrews’s surprise new leadership appointments and move to choose his successor would force some MPs to back his choice, political insiders say.
Victoria
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Daniel Andrews’s iron-clad grip on government has been cemented with surprise new leadership appointments and his chosen successor as premier now installed as deputy.
Five senior ministers confirmed their retirements on Friday, saying they gave their all but it was time to hand the baton to colleagues.
With a combined 94 years of parliamentary experience between them, Deputy Premier James Merlino, Police Minister Lisa Neville, Sport Minister Martin Pakula, Health Minister Martin Foley and Planning Minister Richard Wynne vacated Cabinet ahead of November’s election.
Transport Infrastructure Minister and Bracks-era veteran Jacinta Allan was set to be installed as deputy premier, meaning the top two people in the party are from the Socialist Left faction.
In a move that stunned many ALP veterans, junior minister Mary-Anne Thomas was elevated to the critical role of health, with insiders saying it would enable Mr Andrews tight control over the politically-fraught sector.
Corrections Minister Natalie Hutchins will take on education, Ben Carroll will lead the Department of Jobs, and Danny Pearson leads the Department of Families.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio now leads her department.
Mr Andrews said he was sad to farewell “not only great friends, but people who have devoted so much of their working life to making our state better and stronger”.
“We’ve got such depth in our cabinet and in our caucus that we can have a fresh team with renewed energy, passion and that absolute commitment to give Victorians a positive and optimistic alternative.”
Mr Merlino said politics had a massive impact on his life and his family.
“It is the school productions that you might miss or the sporting events you might miss,” he said.
“It is also the times when you’re there, that you’re not really there because you’re dealing with all of the pressures and the challenges that politics brings.
“There’s not one single reason why I’ve come to this decision but for all of those reasons. now is the time for me.”
Some ex-ministers and serving ministers say the loss of experienced voices of authority, who Andrews will listen to at the Cabinet table, is a potential blow to democracy.
But others say it is an opportunity for the next generation in Labor to take the lead and step into the role vacated by veterans.
New ministerial candidates will be put forward by factions this weekend, with some insiders saying the move to install Ms Allan as deputy rather than a right wing MP was controversial.
One said by making the announcement public just months before the election Mr Andrews had essentially forced hands to back his choice.
“The Right have now lost the deputy premier position that provided this government important balance between the left and right,” another person said.
”It is all unhealthy when so many are now unhappy so close to the election.”
It’s believed Ms Allan will secure numbers because her Socialist Left faction will be backed by right-aligned groups such as the Australian Workers Union and the Moderates.
In return, Speaker Colin Brooks and caucus convener Steve Dimopoulos are tipped to enter Cabinet, alongside Pascoe Vale MP Lizzie Blandthorn, who is moving to the upper house in November.
Sonya Kilkenny is likely to fill one of the left wing vacancies, while Vicki Ward, Gary Maas and Paul Edbrooke have also been floated as possible candidates.
Harriet Shing, who is married to Andrews’s chief of staff Lissie Ratcliff, has again been put forward but may miss out on a spot.
Mr Andrews defended picking the co-ordinating ministers before the caucus meeting, saying it was his choice to make.
He said losing the current crop of senior ministers would not be a negative experience because renewal and opportunities for other MPs were part of the job.
New ministers step into hot seat
Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed a significant Cabinet reshuffle after four high profile ministerial resignations.
James Merlino, Martin Foley, Lisa Neville and Martin Pakula have announced their retirement from state politics, with the entire Labor caucus to meet on Saturday to vote on replacements.
Until then, Mr Andrews has announced new senior “co-ordinating ministers” who head each government department.
But in a major promotion, Mary-Anne Thomas will take control over the department of health on a permanent basis, while Corrections Minister Natalie Hutchins will lead education and training.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan will also be put forward as Deputy Premier in a move which breaks convention of having a right-wing deputy to a Left leader.
But Mr Andrews said this convention had been broken previously in both the Bracks and Brumby governments.
The “co-ordinating minsters” include:
- Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll who will step into the senior portfolio as head of jobs, precincts and regions.
- Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio will co-ordinate environment, planning land and water.
- Government Services Minister Danny Pearson will now oversee families fair and housing.
Mr Andrews said while final portfolios were not decided, some key senior appointments were obvious.
Monash University politics lecturer Zareh Ghazarian said the loss of senior talent will be a test for the Labor caucus.
“The question is, will voters view this renewal in the frontbench as a positive or will they see this as a less experienced government to lead Victoria in this post-pandemic phase?” Dr Ghazarian said.
“Having to replace four senior ministers will test the depth of the Andrews government, and the stakes for the incoming ministers could not be higher just five months out from the next state election.”
Senior ministers pull the pin
James Merlino and Martin Foley have both officially announced their retirement from state politics.
The senior Ministers both released statements on Friday morning to confirm they had officially informed the Premier of their intention to step down from the cabinet.
They will not contest the November election in their respective seats of Monbulk and Albert Park.
Mr Merlino has declared having new cabinet ministers around the table is the best thing for the government and Victoria going forward.
Following weeks of speculation, the outgoing Deputy Premier on Friday morning officially confirmed his intention to walk away from politics after two decades.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve in the Victorian Parliament and represent my community of Monbulk,” he said in a statement.
“I leave with feelings of deepest gratitude, a little sadness and excitement for the future.”
Mr Merlino – who met his wife Megan when he was on the frontbench – said his children, Sophie, Emma and Josh, had never known him to not be a politician.
“We’ve never known anything other than politics as a family,” he said.
“It has an impact in big and small ways – family events, local sport and children’s milestones missed – and even when you are there, there are many times when you’re not truly present.
“Politics undoubtedly puts a greater burden on your partner than should ever be the case.
“When our kids were young, Megs was effectively doing it by herself. Through it all she has been the rock of our family. Thank you for your love and unwavering support.
“My kids are so excited that their dad is retiring from politics. That’s all I need to know that this is the right decision for my family and for me.”
Mr Merlino added: “To my extended family, friends, dogs, chickens and alpacas – you’ll be seeing a lot more of me”.
Mr Merlino thanked his great “friend” Dan Andrews, and credited him as a leader “characterised by courage and determination, intellect and kindness”.
“A Premier who not only has the biggest and boldest ideas to improve the lives of Victorians, but the energy, capacity and grit to actually get it done. A rare combination,” he said.
“However, it’s also the quieter moments I have witnessed, away from the cameras, that speak to Dan’s character his empathy listening to parents of children with a disability and promising to do better for their kids, the easy banter with nurses and health workers he clearly cares so deeply about, his comforting of people in times of grief and hardship, his sorrow at the death of a friend, his love for Cath and gentle teasing with his kids at home.
“It’s in those moments I’m reminded why I’ve been proud to serve as his Deputy for the last 10 and a half years and why I’ll be working so hard to see the re-election of the Andrews Labor Government later in the year.”
Mr Merlino, who became a popular face when he stepped in as Premier while Mr Andrews was on leave after a fall, said the capacity of the Labor caucus has talent.
“Renewal is critical for any government – fresh ideas and new energy,” he said.
“As hard as this is, I believe in my heart that renewal, new cabinet ministers around the table, is the best thing for the government and our state.”
Mr Andrews said Victoria has never had a better acting Premier than Mr Merlino.
“While our Government is often referred to as the Andrews Labor government, nothing we’ve achieved in infrastructure, in health and education, in equality, in jobs and skills, in any area – would have been possible without the hard work, determination and leadership of the best Deputy any Premier could ever wish for,” the Premier said.
Mr Andrews said he will “forever be grateful” for Mr Merlino’s “care and concern” when he stepped into the top role last year.
“James is a natural leader. Someone of conviction and compassion. His achievements should be a source of pride, but his character defines him,” he said.
“A person of great integrity and ability, a person of principle and a politician who gets things done.”
Mr Andrews said for 20 years he has relied on Mr Merlino’s “political instincts, wisdom, work ethic and conviction”.
“There’s no one better under pressure, especially when the stakes are high. He always delivers,” he said.
“When we came to government in 2014, our education system had been decimated. Our schools were failing. Classrooms were falling apart. TAFE campuses were gutted. Savage cuts made it harder on families. And our kids couldn’t get the skills they needed to start their careers.
“We promised to turn that around and make Victoria the Education State. James has led that charge and delivered on that vision.
“Victoria was the first Australian state to introduce free, public education. This year, we celebrated 150 years of it – with our state’s finest Education Minister at the helm.”
Meanwhile, minister Martin Foley has also confirmed he will not contest the next state election.
Mr Foley said the pandemic had encouraged him to think of starting a new chapter in his life.
“The past two years have been a tough time for all Victorians. Many of us have come to reflect on what we aspire to achieve,” he said.
“I am no different. I am looking forward to contributing to a better, fairer, sustainable Victoria in a different capacity.
“One that allows me more time to focus on my family and wellbeing and different interests.”
Mr Foley said it had been a privilege to be a local MP.
“To the people of Albert Park, I owe all my thanks,” he said
In a statement, he said he would be stepping down as a Minister.
“Brimming with ideas and enthusiasm for the future, with a talented pool of existing and emerging leaders, headed by the experienced Premier Daniel Andrews, our state is well on the way to a better future,” he said.
“The past two years have been a tough time for all Victorians. Many of us have come to reflect on what we aspire to achieve.
“ I am no different. I am looking forward to contributing to a better, fairer, sustainable Victoria in a different capacity.
“One that allows me more time to focus on my family and wellbeing and different interests.”
Mr Foley said it had been a privilege to be a local MP.
“To the people of Albert Park, I owe all my thanks,” he said
“Serving as a Minister in Australia’s most progressive government – most recently as Minister for Health, Ambulance Services and Equality – has been a great honour.”
“Our health and ambulance services have been through the toughest of times in this pandemic. Working with our health services – nurses, doctors, paramedics, and allied health professionals and scientists – has been the greatest revelation of my professional life. Our health system achievements and our recovery through these last two years is all owed to them.”
Mr Foley said he was also proud of his work in other portfolios.
“Being Australia’s first Minister for Equality and establishing the LGBTIQ+ equality portfolio,” he said.
“Striving for equality for our rainbow community is now a pillar of a modern Victoria.
“Working to establish Australia’s first Royal Commission into our mental health system and seeing the delivery of that reform will transform and save lives is a great opportunity. Delivering Victoria’s contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme has allowed me to see so many people with disabilities and their families empowered to contribute an engaged and contributing life.
“Backing our creative sector and making the tens of thousands of creatives a core part of our artistic, cultural, and economic life has privileged me to see how a confident Victoria now sees ourselves and the part we play in our world.”
Outgoing police minister Lisa Neville said stepping away from politics is “one of the hardest decisions I have had to make”.
“And only after consulting with doctors, family and my friends, I have decided to not recontest the seat of Bellarine in the 2022 state election,” she said on Friday morning.
Ms Neville took leave last year battling a long-running fight with Crohn’s disease, which left her in ICU in April 2021.
“After a long and complicated battle with the disease, I was determined to return to work and the privilege of serving the Victorian community,” she said.
“I also wanted to start a more open discussion about Crohn’s. I wanted to prove that despite its debilitating effects, that anyone who experiences the disease does not have to be defined by it. That’s why I was determined to return to work and resume my work responsibilities.
“I have only known one way to approach public life and that is to invest every ounce of energy into it.”
“Being an MP and a Minister is a unique privilege and one that demands your total focus. My recovery in 2021 allowed me to resume work in late 2021, but I know I cannot give another 4 years.
“I wish it were otherwise, but I must be honest with myself, the wonderful people I work with and the Bellarine community.”
Mr Andrews said it was a “privilege” to be elected in the parliament in the same year as Ms Neville.
“She’s been a trusted colleague, a dear friend – and held in the highest regard by all. Lisa has been a tireless champion for every portfolio she’s held,” he said.
“I’ve long admired Lisa’s openness about her battle with Crohn’s disease, and how she’s encouraged frank conversations about it. Lisa has always tried to make things easier for others.
“She’s also always put her responsibility to the people of Bellarine and Victoria first. She’s put her job ahead of her health for a very long time – and now it’s time for Lisa to put herself first.”
Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said Ms Neville’s commitment to the police portfolio had been “exceptional”.
“The Minister’s stewardship of the portfolio has coincided with arguably the most challenging environment in the history of Victoria Police,” Mr Gatt said.
“During this tumultuous time, the Minister has supported our members as they have supported the community through natural disasters, a pandemic and the unyielding challenges of day-to-day policing.
“It has also been a time in which we have suffered enormous tragedy with the loss of five members.
“The Minister’s support during these particularly tough times for our members and their families has been genuine and unquestionable.”
Martin Pakula said he had decided to hang up his boots after 16 years in politics.
Mr Pakula said he had come to the conclusion that “I just don’t want to be a politician anymore”.
“I’ve just decided that time’s up,” he told reporters on Friday.
“It’s been a great ride. I’ve just decided that I want to do something else with my life.
“I love government, but I don’t love politics as much as I once did.
“It’s always difficult to fly the coop, leave the nest and leave what you know and you’re comfortable with and what you’ve based your whole career on.
“Let’s see what the future holds. It’s a little bit scary but it’s also exciting.”
“Politics is an all-consuming endeavour. It’s a job which often demands an unhealthy measure of emotional and mental commitment,” he said.
“As politicians, we are notoriously bad at appreciating when considerations for our own well-being demand that we stop and find something else to do with our lives. I’d like to think I’m not one of them.
“A career in public life necessarily involves owing thanks to thousands of people. For me that includes the beautiful people of Keysborough, Springvale, Springvale South, Noble Park, Dingley and Waterways. It includes my Cabinet and Caucus colleagues, my staff and my family.”
Originally published as James Merlino, Martin Foley, Lisa Neville and Martin Pakula announce their retirement from state politics
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