Victoria’s first two openly gay ministers among new Andrews government cabinet

Victoria’s first two openly gay ministers are among five new faces officially sworn into Daniel Andrews’ reshuffled cabinet.

The state’s first two openly gay ministers have officially been sworn into parliament.

Steve Dimopoulos and Harriet Shing are among five new ministers — joining Lizzie Blandthorn, Sonya Kilkenny and Colin Brooks — in Daniel Andrews’ reshuffled cabinet.

Mr Dimopoulos said his appointment was a monumental day for not only himself, but also members of Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ community.

“There are so many gay men and women that I’m sure have served in Victorian and national cabinets, but not in a way that they could be open,” he said.

“I’m feeling a little bit nostalgic about so many others in the past who didn’t get the openness and the transparency and the choice because their government and society at that time wasn’t progressive, so I feel in a sense that I’m standing here in many other people’s places.”

Steve McGhie, Anthony Carbines, Ros Spence, Shaun Leane, Ben Carroll, Colin Brooks, Danny Pearson, Melissa Horne, Gabrielle Williams, Steve Dimopoulos, Gayle Tierney, Lizzie Blandthorn, Natalie Hutchins, Tim Pallas, Daniel Andrews, Linda Dessau, Jacinta Allan, Jaclyn Symes, Lily D’Ambrosio, Harriet Shing, Jaala Pulford, Ingrid Stitt and Mary-Anne Thomas. Picture: AAP

Ms Shing, who will serve as Equality Minister, said it was her mission to ensure visibility remains “front and centre”.

“I’m determined to make sure ... that equality here in Victoria is not negotiable,” she said.

It comes as new deputy Premier Jacinta Allan revealed she woke up on Monday morning with “a few butterflies and nerves”.

Ms Allan, who was elected to parliament in 1999, said she never imagined that she would have risen the ranks to become second in charge.

“Regardless of your background, postcode, gender, under this state ... we are a community and a society that is inclusive,” she said.

The revised Andrews Ministry is now made up of 14 women and eight men. The Victorian coalition’s shadow cabinet consists of 14 men and seven women.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said he wants his frontbench to have as many women as possible.

“We know we’ve got work to do as a party to get to parity in our elected numbers and we’re going to do that,” he said.

Originally published as Victoria’s first two openly gay ministers among new Andrews government cabinet