Premier Daniel Andrews unveils fresh Cabinet and government department shake-up

Premier Daniel Andrews has unveiled a major Cabinet reshuffle as it is announced a key government department will also be overhauled.

MONIQUE HORE AND JAMES DOWLING

3 min read

November 29, 2018 - 10:22PM

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced his Cabinet on Tuesday. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

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Premier Daniel Andrews has unveiled a major Cabinet reshuffle as it is announced a key government department will also be overhauled.

The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources will on January 1 be split in two to become the Department of Transport and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.

It comes as the Andrews Government promises not to waste a single day of its second term, and starts work on the North East Link and boring the 9km Metro Tunnel under Melbourne.

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The government’s leader in the lower house Jacinta Allan will transition from Public Transport Minister to Transport Infrastructure, with newcomer Melissa Horne to take on her former role, as well as ports and freight.

Jacinta Allan will transition from Public Transport Minister to Transport Infrastructure. AAP Image/David Crosling

Other changes will see former Health Minister Jill Hennessy become Attorney-General, with outgoing A-G Martin Pakula to oversee major events, racing and jobs and trade.

Upper House MP Jenny Mikakos will handball the tough youth justice portfolio to Ben Carroll, and instead pick up health.

The Department of Justice and Regulation will be rebadged the Department of Justice of Community Safety, as Mr Carroll also oversees Crime Prevention, Corrections and Victims Support.

Adem Somyurek will return to Cabinet — having been booted three years ago over bullying allegations — as Local Government and Small Business Minister.

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Labor’s Upper House whip Jaclyn Symes has had a major promotion to Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Resources.

Jaala Pulford will shuffle from Agriculture to Roads and take on the new “fishing and boating” portfolio.

Despite the major shake-up some senior ministers have retained their portfolios, including Tim Pallas as Treasurer and Deputy Premier James Merlino in Education.

Deputy Premier James Merlino will retain his education portfolio. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

However, Mr Pallas will also cover Economic Development and Industrial Relations, while Mr Merlino will hand responsibility for emergency services to Water and Police Minister Lisa Neville.

A statement from the government said that the Cabinet was a “strong, progressive, and united team” that would “not waste a single day”.

The new ministry will today be sworn in at Government House, although a statement from the government said Ms Symes would be “sworn in when the Victorian Electoral Commission confirms her election”.

Counting continues in Ms Symes’ tight upper house seat Northern Victoria, although she is thought to have been returned to parliament.

MORE TO COME

PREMIER DANIEL ANDREWS’ FULL CABINET

DANIEL ANDREWS — Premier

JAMES MERLINO — Deputy Premier, Education

GAVIN JENNINGS — Special Minister of State, Priority Precincts, Aboriginal Affairs

JACLYN SYMES — Regional Development, Agriculture, Resources

JILL HENNESSY — Attorney-General, Workplace Safety

TIM PALLAS — Treasurer, Economic Development, Industrial Relations

JACINTA ALLAN — Transport Infrastructure

JENNY MIKAKOS — Health, Ambulance Services

MARTIN PAKULA — Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Racing, Jobs, Innovation and Trade