Police Minister Lisa Neville to take extended leave after health scare

Police minister Lisa Neville has spent a week in hospital after a health scare, and has now been ordered to take three months off work.

Police Minister Lisa Neville has been ordered to take extended leave. Picture: Luis Ascui/NCA NewsWire.

Police minister Lisa Neville has been ordered to take extended leave to deal with an ongoing health issue.

Ms Neville has spent more than a week in hospital as a result of complications associated from previously diagnosed Crohn’s disease.

She had been due to return to work this week but has been advised to take three months leave to deal with the issue.

Danny Pearson will take over the Police and Emergency Services portfolio in her absence, including oversight of COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria.

In a statement issued on Sunday Ms Neville said she had been living with Crohn’s disease for 32 years.

“Through the course of the past week in hospital the seriousness of these complications and the impact on my health has become more evident,” she said.

“The current episode is the worst I have been confronted with.

“The clear advice from my doctors is if I don’t take this period of rest and recovery I will be faced with major bowel surgery and risk long term consequences to the quality and length of my life.”

Ms Neville said she would continue to be guided by medical advice.

“I love my job and remain passionately committed to it. Across the portfolios of Water and Police and Emergency Services I have had the honour of working with dedicated individuals who serve and protect the interests of the Victorian community,” she said.

“My love for the community of the Bellarine Peninsula and working hard to deliver for all of my constituents remains as strong as it was when I was first elected.”

Ms Neville’s temporary departure from Daniel Andrews’ cabinet is a blow to the Premier after he lost another senior MP, former attorney general Jill Hennessy, late last year.

Ms Hennessy left the ministry in a shock move to be able to support her two daughters through their final years of secondary school.

Mr Andrews said he extended his warmest wishes to Ms Neville on behalf of the government.

“She is a highly valued, relentlessly dedicated member of our team. She has our full support in taking the time to focus on her recovery, and we look forward to welcoming her back as soon as her health allows,” he said.

Mr Andrews said Richard Wynne would become the acting Minister for Water, while Gayle Tierney would act as the duty member for the seat of Bellarine.