Former Labor ministers Martin Foley and Lisa Neville appointed to key health boardroom roles

Former health Minister Martin Foley and police Minister Lisa Neville have been appointed by the government to key boardroom positions, sparking “jobs for mates” claims.

Former Minister Health Martin Foley will chair Alfred Health. Picture: Aaron Francis

Two former Andrews government ministers have landed plum boardroom roles sparking criticism from the opposition.

Health Minister Maryanne Thomas told parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on Friday her predecessor, Martin Foley, had been appointed chair of Alfred Health.

Former police Minister Lisa Neville will chair the board at Barwon Health.

The former ministers will start in their new roles, which are understood to be worth at least $80,000 a year, on July 1.

Former health Minister Lisa Neville will take over as chair of Barwon Health. Picture: Alan Barber

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier hit out at the appointments as “jobs for mates”.

“Our health system remains in crisis and the best the Andrews Labor Government can do is to appoint their mates to plum board appointments,” she said.

In a 2018 press release the government confirmed Chairs of Alfred Health, Melbourne Health and Monash Health would be paid $88,715 annually.

As a long serving MP Ms Neville is entitled to an $84,000 a year lifetime salary.

Mr Foley entered parliament after the ongoing pension scheme was abolished.

Instead, he received a one-off $96,000 exit fee.

Mr Foley is one of several high-profile Labor affiliated members of the Alfred Health board including Bill Shorten’s wife, Chloe, and Melanie Eagle, the wife of former deputy premier John Thwaites.

The appointments come amid an ongoing probe by Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass into the politicisation of the state’s public service.