Daniel Andrews’s pick Danny Pearson hits constitution hurdle

Daniel Andrews’s plan to replace Adem Somyurek with his parliamentary secretary, Danny Pearson, has hit a Victorian constitution roadblock.

Victorian Labor MP Danny Pearson.

Daniel Andrews’s plan to replace Adem Somyurek with his parliamentary secretary, Danny Pearson, has hit a Victorian constitution roadblock.

The Premier announced his intention to promote Mr Pearson at the press conference to confirm Mr Somyurek’s sacking. By mid-morning, it had emerged that Mr Pearson’s appointment as one of 18 Legislative Assembly MPs in the Andrews ministry would contravene section 50 of the state constitution, which limits the number of ministers from each house of parliament to 17.

Following the resignation of assistant treasurer and Somyurek factional ally Robin Scott late on Monday, Mr Pearson may yet be able to take up the post, but he was not sworn in as planned on Monday.

Mr Andrews earlier said while circumstances were “far from ideal”, he was “very pleased” to welcome Mr Pearson, who had a leading role in the government’s Belt and Road Initiative deal with China, into the ministry.

Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien said the “corruption mire” engulfing the Andrews government had turned to “farce” with the news Andrews’s “captain’s pick” was ineligible.