The new face-offs in the 2022 state election
Daniel Andrews’ new cabinet sets up a fresh round of clashes in key portfolios. Here are the key match ups and their pros and cons.
Victoria
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Daniel Andrews has his election cabinet.
Five new ministers – Steve Dimopoulos, Harriet Shing, Lizzie Blandthorn, Sonya Kilkenny and Colin Brooks have joined the ranks, filling the void left by James Merlino, Martin Foley, Martin Pakula, Lisa Neville and Richard Wynne.
Their resignations have allowed for some relatively unknown ministers to enjoy major elevations to senior roles.
It also sets up a new round of clashes between the government and the opposition.
We take a look at some of the key ministerial match-ups heading into the November election.
DEPUTY LEADER
Jacinta Allan
Age: 48
Time in parliament: 23 years (Member for Bendigo East).
Positions: Deputy Leader, Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery.
Previous positions: Held a raft of different portfolios, including Minister for Public Transport, Minister for Major Projects, Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Women’s Affairs.
Strengths: Touted as the next Premier of Victoria. Elected in 1999 aged just 25, Ms Allan became the youngest minister in Victorian history at 29. Has become synonymous with the transport portfolio and some of the state’s biggest projects, including level crossing removals and the Metro Tunnel.
Weaknesses: The state’s flagship infrastructure projects – many of which are notoriously over-budget – have left her open to repeated attacks. Liberal leader Matthew Guy, as recently as this week, said the cost blowouts under Ms Allan’s watch would lose any ordinary worker their job.
Peter Walsh (Deputy Opposition Leader)
Age: 68
Time in parliament: 20 years (Member for Murray Plains and formerly Swan Hill)
Positions: Leader of the Nationals, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
Previous positions: Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Minister for Water, shadow portfolios in decentralisation, regional development, water and bushfire recovery.
Strengths: One of the most seasoned figures within the Victorian Coalition and has a wealth of leadership experience, including as a minister. Leads a united team within the Nationals that has kept the pressure on the government even when their Coalition partner has battled internal disputes.
Weaknesses: Has struggled at times to keep the focus on regional issues as Melbourne’s population soars. Leads a smaller team than the other two major parties which has led to less resources. Since the Bracks Government, Labor has placed considerable focus in winning and holding regional and rural Victorians seats and have cemented their presence.
David Southwick (Deputy Liberal Leader)
Age: 54
Time in parliament: 12 years (Member for Caulfield)
Positions: Deputy Leader (Shadow Minister for Jobs and Employment, Shadow Minister for CBD Recovery, Shadow Minister for Small Business).
Previous positions: Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services, Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Shadow Minister for Police, Community Safety and Corrections.
Strengths: Often leads the attack on Andrews government. Has impressed some on Spring St by taking a bipartisan approach to key issues. During lockdowns, he played a key role in working with the government to reach out to the Jewish community about coronavirus messaging. He also featured heavily in the committee that recommended banning the swastika in Victoria.
Weaknesses: Yet to serve as a minister in an elected government. Faces rampant speculation he is at risk of losing his seat as changing demographics making it a tempting target for both Labor and teal candidates.
HEALTH
Mary-Anne Thomas
Age: 59
Time in parliament: 8 years (Member for Macedon).
Positions: Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services.
Previous positions: Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development.
Strengths: Has performed well when grilled by the media and avoided scandals. Previously worked as a teacher.
Weaknesses: Does not have a professional background in health but now has control over one of the most senior portfolios in Victoria at a time when it is facing an unprecedented crisis.
Georgie Crozier
Age: 58
Time in parliament: 12 years (Member of Southern Metropolitan Region).
Positions: Shadow Minister for Health & Ambulance Services, Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Legislative Council).
Previous positions: Shadow Minister for Families and Children, Child Protection, Youth Justice, Early Education and Community Services, Shadow Minister for Housing.
Strengths: Has more than 20 years’ experience as a nurse and midwife. Happy to go toe-to-toe with her opposite. One of the opposition’s more recognisable figures.
Weaknesses: No experience as a minister in an elected government.
EDUCATION
Natalie Hutchins
Age: 50
Time in parliament: 12 years (Member for Sydenham).
Positions: Minister for Education, Minister for Women, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support.
Previous positions: Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Women, Minister for Local Government
Strengths: Understood to run a well-oiled office and surround herself with good staffers. Has managed to handle the at-times tricky corrections portfolio without major brand damage. Now leads one of the government’s most important policy areas in a highly-coveted role that allows politicians to soften their public image by posing up for plenty of pictures with school students.
Weaknesses: Will now receive far more public scrutiny and will quickly need to become a solid and standout media performer.
David Hodgett
Age: 58
Time in parliament: 16 years (Member for Croydon).
Positions: Shadow Minister for Education, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood and Children, Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Training and Skills.
Previous positions: Minister for Ports, Minister for Major Projects and Minister for Manufacturing.
Strengths: Unlike many of his frontbench colleagues, has previously served as a minister. Largely well-liked by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and known to bring a collaborative approach to his work.
Weaknesses: Sometimes accused of not pushing hard enough on the government when they are vulnerable to an attack.
INDUSTRY
Ben Carroll
Age: 46
Time in parliament: 10 years (Member for Niddrie).
Positions: Minister for Industry Support, Minister for Business Precincts, Minister for Public Transport, Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
Previous positions: Minister for Industry and Employment, Minister for Corrections, Youth Justice, Crime Prevention and Victim Support.
Strengths: Viewed as a future premier by some. Has extensive government experience and previously worked as an advisor to Steve Bracks and Stephen Conroy. Known for being well-researched in his portfolio.
Weaknesses: His new role – an ability to build public profile – may not come with the same level of attention as major events and sport have been shuffled over to Steve Dimopoulos.
Bridget Vallence
Age: 42
Time in parliament: 4 years (Member for Evelyn)
Positions: Shadow Minister Industry, Shadow Minister for Manufacturing, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Digital Economy and Medical Research
Previous positions: Shadow assistant Minister for Industry.
Strengths: Worked for 16 years in the automotive industry as a procurement executive in both the manufacturing and retail sectors in Australian, Asian and global markets. Considered a rising star in a party that is wanting to improve its female representation.
Weaknesses: Largely untested in the political arena. Has work to do increasing her public profile.
PLANNING
Lizzie Blandthorn
Age: 44
Time in parliament: 8 years (Member for Pascoe Vale)
Positions: Minister for Planning, Leader of the House.
Previous positions: Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport.
Strengths: The newcomer in the Andrews cabinet will join the Premier and Deputy Premier at the table in parliament as leader of the house. Has secured a key promotion.
Weaknesses: Has never been thrust into the public spotlight. Planning ministers are usually needed to help to fix problems quickly, such as when the government needed approvals for a site to take toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel. But they also need to do everything by the book, as they are the ones who will be challenged in court on decisions, such as when residents’ groups opposed tunnel soil being dumped in their area.
Ryan Smith
Age: 53
Time in parliament: 16 years (Member for Warrandyte).
Positions: Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Minister for Planning and Heritage, Shadow Minister for Suburban Recovery.
Previous positions: Minister for Youth Affairs, Minister for Environment and Climate Change.
Strengths: One of the opposition’s most vocal attack dogs and was once known for getting ejected out of Question Time semi-regularly. He has cabinet experience as a former minister. Fast-tracked planning approvals that took place during Covid lockdowns may provide him with plenty of material to criticise the government on certain projects.
Weaknesses: Needs to build public profile.
TOURISM, SPORT AND MAJOR EVENTS
Steve Dimopoulos
Age: 49
Time in parliament: 8 years (Member for Oakleigh)
Positions: Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Creative Industries
Previous positions: Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.
Strengths: Cabinet appointment and elevation to the ministry realises a longtime dream. Takes over from his factional ally Martin Pakula as the “Minister for Fun”, overseeing tourism, sport, major events and now creative industries.
Weaknesses: Plenty of time in the spotlight also means plenty of fires to put out. Victoria’s AFL-obsessed culture and jam-packed events calendar means there is always a new drama lurking around the corner, along with stakeholders looking for more money and attention.
Cindy McLeish
Age: 60
Time in parliament: 12 years (Member for Eildon)
Positions: Shadow Minister for Sport, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Shadow Minister for Government Services.
Previous positions: Shadow Minister for Education, Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Shadow Minister for Regional Cities.
Strengths: The Shadow Minister for Fun does not get to enjoy the same spotlight as those in government, but there should still be opportunities to leave a mark. Victoria’s events calendar is crucial to the state’s economic recovery and any roadblocks or slip-ups by a relatively untested counterpart will be capitalised on.
Weaknesses: Limited opportunity for attacks after Mr Pakula worked to sign off a swath of major agreements before he left the job.
CORRECTIONS AND VICTIM SUPPORT
Sonya Kilkenny
Age: 53
Time in parliament: 8 years (Member for Carrum)
Positions: Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support, Minister for Fishing and Boating.
Previous positions: Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education.
Strengths: Inherits her portfolio without any major public scandals unfolding.
Weaknesses: Must oversee and complex corrections system. Workers in the youth justice system, who face violent abuse, remain a key problem. These issues will only get worse unless staff shortages can be addressed.
Brad Battin
Age: 46
Time in parliament: 12 years (Member for Gembrook)
Positions: Shadow Minister for Corrections, Shadow Minister for Police, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services
Previous positions: Shadow Minister for the Building Industry, Shadow Minister for Youth Justice, Shadow Minister for Environment
Strengths: The former police officer brings first-hand experience to the area. Has had a wealth of shadow portfolios since 2014 but the bulk of these revolve around justice and emergency services. This will provide him with the advantage of experience compared to his government rival.
Weaknesses: Opposition needs to tread carefully on law and order after making it a key feature of the 2018 election.
Originally published as The new face-offs in the 2022 state election
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