Winners and losers emerge in Jacinta Allan’s cabinet reshuffle after Tim Pallas resignation

Victoria’s new Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, has been sworn into the role at a ceremony at Government House as the winners and losers from Jacinta Allan’s biggest cabinet shake-up become clear.

Victoria’s new Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, has vowed to spend the summer break looking at how she will tackle the mammoth role of managing the state’s dire financial position.

Jacinta Allan on Thursday unveiled her first major cabinet shake-up since becoming Premier in a reshuffle that has given Victoria its first female Treasurer but also sidelined Danny Pearson.

Women were the big winners out of the broader reshuffle, with Ms Allan promoting a number of female Ministers to the most senior positions of her new-look team, which she said will lead the government to the 2026 election.

Ms Symes said she is excited to take on the role, pledging to “throw everything at it”.

“I will be a different treasurer. I will bring a different perspective,” she said.

“I like fixing things.”

Premier Jacinta Allan with new Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, at Government House. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Jaclyn Symes arrives at Government House on Thursday. Picture: James Ross

Asked what economic experience she had to control the state’s purse strings, Ms Symes conceded she still had a lot to learn.

“I’m not going to pretend that running an ice creamery in Benalla or taxation law at University gives me the economic credentials that some others have had in the private sector,” she said.

“But what I have been doing is spending the last five years at the ERC (expenditure review committee) table. I have been making the decisions along with a collection of ministers about the things that are important to Victorians.”

Ms Symes said while it was an “incredible honour” to be asked to replace Tim Pallas, she felt bittersweet to stand down as Attorney-General and Emergency Services Minister.

“When you are a minister and you have the opportunity to work in a portfolio, it’s somewhat part of your family. It becomes part of your identity,” she said.

Premier Jacinta Allan has undertaken her biggest cabinet shake-up. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Gabrielle Williams will look after the state’s Big Build agenda as Transport Infrastructure Minister. Picture: Luis Ascui

As well as the role of Treasurer, Ms Symes will also take on the role of Industrial Relations and Regional Development, and she will also keep her position as leader of the government in the upper house.

Sonya Kilkenny, a favourite of Ms Allan’s, was chosen to take on Attorney-General, while also keeping her role as Planning Minister where she is responsible for carrying out the government’s ambitious Housing Statement pledge to build 800,000 homes over the next decade.

Harriet Shing will take on a newly created mega housing portfolio which gives her oversight of the controversial $34bn Suburban Rail Loop project as well as Development Victoria and Precincts. She was stripped of her Water and Equality portfolios.

Tim Pallas retired as the state’s longest-serving treasurer. Picture: Aaron Francis

Gabrielle Williams, who is viewed as highly ambitious, was elevated to take control of the state’s Big Build pipeline as Transport Infrastructure Minister, giving her control of major projects including the North East Link, Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel project. She will also keep her Public and Active Transport portfolio.

Danny Pearson was stripped of his previous portfolios of Transport Infrastructure, Suburban Rail Loop and Worksafe and the TAC, which was given to deputy Premier Ben Carroll.

Mr Pearson will remain the state’s assistant treasurer but in a new position called Finance Minister. He will also oversee Jobs and Economic Growth.

Many Labor insiders have viewed this as a demotion for Mr Pearson, with some suggesting it was a form of punishment for not taking the job as treasurer.

Ms Allan on Thursday repeatedly refused to answer questions about whether Mr Pearson was approached for the job as treasurer.

Instead, she said: “I have appointed Jaclyn as treasurer because she is an outstanding member of parliament. She is hardworking and smart ... She is absolutely the right person for this role, the best person for this role.”

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll is believed to have had no interest in becoming the next treasurer. Picture: Ian Currie

Ms Allan added that Mr Pearson was serving in a role that is “backing in my priorities” to build more homes, support Victorians in work and to support families.

“That is a central role in my government and Danny Pearson, along with other ministers working in those economic portfolios, will continue to drive that economic growth agenda,” she said.

Natalie Hutchins — who only last week unveiled the government’s Economic Growth Statement — lost her role as Jobs and Industry Minister.

Instead, Colin Brooks will pick up the responsibility of Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Minister.

Ms Hutchins will keep her job looking after Treaty negotiations, and also pick up the role of Government Services and Prevention of Family Violence.

Vicki Ward becomes the new Emergency Services Minister as well as the newly created role of Natural Disaster Recovery.

Ms Ward also takes on Ms Shing’s portfolio of Equality, while Gayle Tierney picks up the water portfolio.

Some Labor figures see Danny Pearson as a loser in the reshuffle. Picture: Mark Stewart

Enver Erdogan adds the responsibility of Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation to his portfolio, while offloading his previous jobs as Community Safety and Victims Minister to Anthony Carbines, who has retained his position as Police Minister.

Newly minted Minister Nick Staikos was given the roles of Consumer Affairs and Local Government, while Melissa Horne will become responsible for the build of all hospitals as Health Infrastructure Minister.

Mary-Anne Thomas remains the Health and Ambulance Services Minister.

Ms Allan also overhauled her team of parliamentary secretaries, which are backbench MPs given extra responsibilities, but are sometimes referred to as assistant Ministers.

Tim Richardson was promoted to parliamentary secretary to the Premier, while Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch was also appointed the newest parliamentary secretary.

She will assist Outdoor Recreation Minister Steve Dimopoulos with his duties covering that portfolio.