Gayle Tierney sworn in as Victoria’s new agriculture minister

Gayle Tierney has been sworn in as Victoria’s new agriculture minister, with a new face also in the water ministry.

Geelong region MP Gayle Tierney has been sworn in as Victoria’s new agriculture minister, replacing Mary-Anne Thomas who served 18 months in the role.

The former trade union official was sworn in by Victorian Governor Linda Dessau at Government House today alongside new Water Minister Harriet Shing.

Ms Tierney previously served as higher education minister prior to the exodus of senior ministers last week, triggering a cabinet reshuffle by Premier Daniel Andrews.

A resident of St Leonards on the Bellarine Peninsula, Ms Tierney served as state secretary of Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union’s vehicle division for more than a decade from 1993. She went on to serve as federal president of the AMWU vehicle division for six years before entering the Victorian Parliament in 2006.

She will retain her existing skills, training and higher education portfolios.

“I’ve already had the chance to do some work in the agriculture space through our great training and skills initiatives,” Ms Tierney said.

“I’m excited to expand on this and to continue the work of my colleague Mary-Anne Thomas

in supporting Victoria’s thriving agriculture industry.”

Back row from left: Steve McGhie MP, Anthony Carbines MP, Ros Spence MP, Shaun Leane MP, Ben Carroll MP, Colin Brooks MP, Danny Pearson MP, Melissa Horne MP, Gabrielle Williams MP, Steve Dimopoulos MP Front row from left: Gayle Tierney MP, Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Natalie Hutchins MP, Tim Pallas MP, Daniel Andrews Premier of Victoria, Governor Linda Dessau, Jacinta Allan Deputy Premier, Jaclyn Symes MP, Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Harriet Shing MP, Jaala Pulford MP, Ingrid Stitt MP and Mary-Anne Thomas MP, pose for a group photo during a swearing-in ceremony for new Victorian government ministers at Government House in Melbourne.

Ms Tierney is the Andrews Government’s fourth agriculture minister — following on from fellow Western Victorian MP Jaala Pulford, now attorney general Jaclyn Symes and her immediate predecessor Ms Thomas.

Last week, Deputy Premier James Merlino, Health Minister Martin Foley, Major Events Minister Martin Pakula and Ms Neville announced they would leave cabinet ahead of retiring at the November state election.

Bendigo MP Jacinta Allan has been elevated to Deputy Premier in the reshuffle, replacing Mr Merlino.

Ms Allan, who was first elected to parliament in 1999, said she never imagined that she would have risen the ranks to become second in charge.

“Regardless of your background, postcode, gender, under this state ... we are a community and a society that is inclusive,” she said.