Backroom Baz: Jacinta Allan set to shake up her frontbench after Natalie Hutchins’ resignation
Taking inspo from St. Nick himself, Premier Jacinta Allan is set to give gifts to her ministers in a frontbench reshuffle, elevating some backbenchers to cabinet for the first time.
Jess Wilson is not the only political leader that has been mulling a frontbench reshuffle in recent weeks. Baz is reliably informed Jacinta Allan has been doing the same, prompted by the pending resignation of minister Natalie Hutchins who has quite the load looking after the government services, Treaty and First Peoples, prevention of family violence and women portfolios.
The shake-up, tipped to be announced before Christmas, is expected to see several ministers moved to new portfolios and some backbenchers elevated to cabinet for the first time in what should be the team that Allan takes to the election. It presents for the Premier a perfect, and much needed, opportunity to refresh the government’s leadership team ahead of key policy challenges and the election campaign. She will of course have to balance competing factional interests, while ensuring that the government maintains credibility with the public. Will Jaclyn Symes, who has told staff she is allergic to economic terms, retain the Treasury portfolio? Will Sonya Kilkenny, who is understood to be vehemently opposed to Allan’s adult time for violent crime policy, hold on to Attorney-General? Watch this space. Watch, too, for announcements of other ministers expected to quit ahead of the election. Doing so before the reshuffle makes sense.
Only MP to tik the box
Georgie Purcell, represent! She is the undisputed content queen of Spring St, boasting more social media followers and reach than any other MP. Though, Baz should note she pales in significance compared to former Premier Daniel Andrews.
Still, as far as current MPs go, Purcell’s the leader, helped no doubt by the fact she is the youngest woman in parliament – social media is a natural fit. This week she was the only Australian MP asked to present an award at the 2025 TikTok awards in Sydney, telling the crowd: “unlike most politicians who have no idea about how to use social media, I’m really passionate about helping others learn about politics, democracy, and the people like me who ultimately work for all of you.” The irony wasn’t lost on Purcell that as a Victorian MP, she is banned from accessing TikTok on her parliamentary devices. The ban followed a federal Department of Home Affairs review into the national security and privacy implications of data collection by social media companies.
Torney’s tourney
This paper broke the news this week that Hawthorn MP John Pesutto could face an unexpected election opponent in Angela Jones, the woman who sued him for defamation as part of the Moira Deeming saga that ultimately brought his leadership undone.
Jones is seriously weighing up running as an independent candidate in Hawthorn in a move that would be a right royal pain for Pesutto’s campaign. Now Baz is told teal independent, Sophie Torney, is also likely to throw her hat in the ring in Kew against Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. She ran there last election, picking up a decent share of the primary vote. A decent preference deal with Labor could spell trouble for Wilson. Torney finished a stint as Boorondara Mayor this week, and while she remains a councillor, Baz is told she still has her eyes firmly fixed on state parliament.
Moon changes the tides
Readers might not be overly familiar with Community Clubs Victoria, despite the fact the organisation advocates for over 1000 clubs and 2.3m members in Victoria. Its advocacy has been described as lacking of late.
Enter Charles Moon, the former senior Tapcorp staffer who has been brought into to turn the organisation around. Moon, a blue blood former Tony Abbott staffer but equally respected by Liberal and Labor figures alike, has been recruited as the new CEO to strength advocacy, modernise operations, and deepen partnerships across government and industry. “Community clubs are at the heart of Victoria’s social fabric,” Moon said. “I’m looking forward to listening to our members, understanding their priorities, and ensuring CCV continues to be a strong, credible voice representing their interests. He begins on Monday. Good luck, Charles.
400 out of fundraiser
An update on the postponed Liberal Party fundraiser that was due to go ahead last night to mark one year out from the state election, but was put off until next year following a slew of cancellations in the wake of the party’s latest leadership change. Baz told you last week it left the party with a $175,000 cancellation fee. Now the full scale of the cancellations can be revealed, with impeccable sources telling Baz an estimated 40 tables pulled out of the event. That’s about 400 people. Baz has spoken to some who said while they didn’t object to Jess Wilson’s elevation to leader they wanted to simply protest against yet another leadership drama playing out, and the unceremonious dumping of the hardworking former leader, Brad Battin.
Overheard
“Instead of fixing crime or debt, the Premier wants the parliament to sit again to deliver what will be its fourth apology to Indigenous Australians. Labor has the wrong priorities.”
Manager of Opposition Business, James Newbury, on the upcoming apology to Aboriginal Victorians.
Guess who
Which recent staffing appointment has ruffled feathers on Spring St?
Got any scuttlebutt for Baz? Email backroombaz@news.com.au
Originally published as Backroom Baz: Jacinta Allan set to shake up her frontbench after Natalie Hutchins’ resignation
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