Winners and losers revealed in Jacinta Allan’s new look cabinet
Jacinta Allan has worked to keep the peace in her cabinet reshuffle, while still rewarding her factional supporters. This is who came out on top and who lost ground in the shake up.
Victoria
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Labor sources have revealed that new Premier Jacinta Allan spent hours on the phone negotiating the new ministry with her MPs over the long weekend.
It’s widely acknowledged she has gone to extraordinary efforts to “keep the peace” while also rewarding her factional supporters.
Even still, there were some moves in the reshuffle that raised eyebrows. Here are the winners and losers of her new ministry.
WINNERS
Ben Carroll
Education minister
Not only has Mr Carroll scored the role of deputy premier, he has now been gifted the education portfolio
Labor ministers told the Herald Sun that while education was a lot of work, the almost weekly school visits will result in plenty of positive media time that has benefited previous deputies like James Merlino, helping build a public profile.
Labor sources also pointed Mr Carroll has a primary-school-aged child, which will help him keep his finger on the pulse of his new portfolio.
Tim Pallas
Retains Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations expanded role as Minister for Economic Growth
While rumours have been swirling about a potential departure, Mr Pallas seems to have put these to bed, keeping his senior roles and having more added to his plate. Some in the ministry have questioned what the economic growth portfolio entails and how this is different from the trade and innovation portfolios that appear to have been scrapped.
Harriet Shing
New minister for Housing and retains the Water and Equality portfolios
One of the more standout appointments, Mrs Shing has been gifted the portfolio that will oversee former Premier Daniel Andrews’ legacy policy.
The upgrade to such a key portfolio is viewed as a big win for Mrs Shing. It is also being acknowledged by Labor sources as a gesture from Ms Allan that communicates Ms Shing will continue to be valuable in playing a protective role over the leader of the party.
LOSERS
Colin Brooks
Minister for Development Victoria and Minister for Precincts
It appears that Mr Brooks has been sidelined, taking on two smaller portfolios after the wider housing portfolio has gone to Ms Shing.
Some sources claim urban development will be critical to ensure the right initiatives are in place around major new transport hubs on the Suburban Rail Loop and as the government moves forward with more medium-density living in the inner city.
However, it’s likely Mr Brooks’ new portfolios will always align with housing and big build announcements meaning he will likely be flanked by senior ministers at press conferences and may struggle to standout.
Vicki Ward
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Employment
Being elevated to the ministry was the highlight of the week for Ms Ward. However, Labor sources say she won’t have much chance to shine in her new roles. The majority of the employment programs the portfolio oversees were cut in the May budget to help save costs. The new Family Violence reforms from the Royal Commission have largely been implemented and other programs are winding down meaning she could be left twiddling her thumbs.
Gayle Tierney
Minister for Skills and TAFE and Minister for Regional Development
Formerly the minister of training and skills, higher education and agriculture, it appears as though Ms Tierny’s portfolio responsibilities are shrinking. While acknowledged as an accomplished minister, one Labor source highlighted that Ms Tierney was “dismal” when it came to public speaking and media appearances, which has led to her being quietly shelved to more low-key portfolios.
UNCLEAR
Danny Pearson
Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop. Retains Assistant Treasurer and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC
Beware the poisoned chalice of opportunity is the saying and this may be sage advice for the new SRL minister.
Not only will Mr Pearson have to deal with growing cost blowouts and delays, he will also have to juggle the workload with the unpopular WorkSafe reforms.
The Herald Sun was told the workload is way too much for one minister and he was being set up to fail.
However, others disagreed, pointing out that Mr Pearson inherited the poisoned chalice from Ms Allan, who gave up the role to become Premier, making the new big build minister a protected man.
Ros Spence
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Carers and Volunteers, retaining Minister for Community Sport
Gaining two new portfolios on the surface seems like a win, but some Labor members believe Mrs Spence has more than earned her stripes and should have been in line for a more central role.
However, agriculture is a big portfolio where individual ministers can really shine and gain statewide public profile.
It’s understood the portfolio was personally requested by Ms Spence.
It’s a role that will be challenging in the coming years with the impacts of the El Nino to be felt across the state and Labor sources said it was potentially a massive undertaking where she could prove her worth.
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