Andrews keeps it fresh with new faces joining cabinet

Daniel Andrews has introduced several fresh faces and titles to his new cabinet, following Labor’s third election win last month.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has introduced several fresh faces and titles to his new cabinet, following Labor’s third election win last month.

While many positions remain unchanged, the portfolio shake-up has attracted two faces: Southern Metropolitan Region MP Enver Erdogan and St Alban’s MP Natalie Suleyman.

Mr Erdogan, a former local government councillor in Melbourne’s north, who was parachuted into the southern metropolitan electorate in 2019, will enter cabinet with the portfolios of Corrections, Youth Justice and Victim Support.

Ms Suleyman will become Victoria’s first female Muslim Minister, taking on Youth, Small Business and Veterans.

Former energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio will become Electricity Commission Minister, a new role reflecting one of Labor’s key election promises. She will also become Minister for Climate Action and Minister for Energy and Resources.

Ingrid Stitt, the Minister for Workplace Safety and also for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, will also take on the Environment portfolio.

A conflict of interest has been settled by moving Lizzie Blandthorn from Planning to Disability, Ageing, Carers and Child Protection and to run the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Concerns were flagged as Ms Blandthorn’s brother is the director of a Labor-linked lobbying firm.

Planning will be taken over by Sonya Kilkenny, who will retain her role at Outdoor Recreation.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan will remain Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop and Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery.

With counting still continuing, Harriet Shing will retain the separate ministries of Water, ­Regional Development and Equality if re-elected, taking over the Commonwealth Games Legacy portfolio from Shaun Leane, who was forced out of cabinet due to factional reasons.

Jaclyn Symes retains her positions as Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Services.

Mary-Anne Thomas, who stepped in as Health Minister after Jenny Mikakos’s resignation in the wake of Mr Andrews’ testimony to the hotel quarantine ­inquiry, will continue in her role, while also becoming Leader of the House.

Treasurer Tim Pallas will ­remain in Industrial Relations and Trade, with Danny Pearson as ­Assistant Treasurer, who will take control of WorkSafe and the TAC and Consumer Affairs, as well as a newly created Department of Government Services.

Gabrielle Williams takes on Ambulance Services on top of her role as Mental Health Minister and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples.

Industry and Innovation and Public Transport will remain with Ben Carroll, who takes on Manufacturing Sovereignty and Employment.

Gayle Tierney will retain control of altered portfolio, Department of Jobs, Skills, ­Industry and Regions, as well as her role as Minister for Agriculture.

Minister Ros Spence will hand her Multicultural Affairs portfolio to Colin Brooks, remaining Prevention of Family Violence and Community Sport, while adding Suburban ­Development to her portfolio. Mr Brooks will also become Housing Minister, overseeing the $5.3bn Big Housing Build.