A Strong Team To Keep Delivering For All Victorians

For the first time in the state’s history, half the Victorian Cabinet will be women.

Premier Daniel Andrews has today unveiled the new Andrews Labor Government’s Cabinet, which will have 50 per cent women, and 50 per cent of the lead Ministers of Government departments will be women.

This is a strong, progressive, and united team that will not waste a single day implementing Labor’s election promises and delivering for all Victorians.

Deputy Premier James Merlino will continue as Education Minister, as we upgrade 1,300 schools across Victoria, open 100 new schools over the next eight years, and roll out universal three-year old kinder.

Gavin Jennings will be the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and remain as Special Minister of State, along with responsibility for Priority Precincts and Aboriginal Affairs.

Jaclyn Symes will join the Cabinet as Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. As a strong advocate for regional Victoria, she will take on the portfolios of Regional Development, Agriculture, and Resources but will not been sworn in until the Victorian Electoral Commission declares her election. Minister Pulford and the Treasurer will continue to have responsibility for these portfolios until that time.

Tim Pallas will remain as Treasurer, continuing to oversee Victoria’s strong economy and budget surpluses. He will also be responsible for Economic Development and Industrial Relations. He will work with Robin Scott as the Assistant Treasurer, who will also be the Minister for Veterans.

The Andrews Labor Government is embarking on the biggest infrastructure program Victoria has ever seen. To ensure this is delivered, Jacinta Allan takes on the portfolio of Transport Infrastructure, with responsibility for projects including the Level Crossing Removal Program, North East Link, West Gate Tunnel, Metro Tunnel and Suburban Rail Loop.

Minister Allan leads an all-female transport team with Jaala Pulford becoming the Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, and Minister for Fishing and Boating.

New Cabinet member Melissa Horne will become Minister for Public Transport and Ports and Freight.

Our record infrastructure investment means more jobs for Victorians, as well as new and growing industries. It also means we need to train more Victorians to give them the skills they need, for the jobs they want.

Martin Pakula will be the lead Minister in the Government for jobs, with responsibility for Jobs, Innovation and Trade. He will also be Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and Minister for Racing.

Gayle Tierney will keep our training sector strong as the Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education and will be responsible for the roll out of Free TAFE.

Jenny Mikakos takes on the vital role of Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services. She will deliver our Government’s massive hospital building program – so Victorians can get the care they need, close to home –and roll out the Free School Dental Program.

Martin Foley will continue as the Minister for Mental Health and will oversee Australia’s first ever Royal Commission into Mental Health. He will also be responsible for Equality and Creative Industries.

Luke Donnellan will continue our significant reform agenda as the Minister for Child Protection. As the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers he will also give a greater voice to our hard-working carers, who will have a dedicated Minister for the first time.

Lily D’Ambrosio will continue her work as the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. She will implement our commitment to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. And as the Minster for Solar Homes, she will have responsibility for Solar Victoria as it rolls out our massive program of solar panels, solar hot water systems and batteries to keep power bills down.

Jill Hennessy has been appointed as Labor’s first female Attorney General. As first law officer of Victoria, she will oversee the implementation of Australia’s toughest bail laws and ensure we have the statute book we need to help keep Victorians safe. She will also be Minister for Workplace Safety – because ensuring workers come home from work safely is a key priority of the Government.

Lisa Neville will become the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, overseeing our rollout of 3,135 new police, and ensuring our emergency services workers get the resources they need. Minister Neville will also continue as the Minister for Water.

Ben Carroll will become the Minister for Crime Prevention and Victoria’s first Minister for Victim Support. He will also be the Minister for Corrections and Minister for Youth Justice.

Family Violence remains Victoria’s number one law and order issue. We will continue our record investment to combat family violence and keep women and children safe. Gabrielle Williams will take on this important work as Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence. She will also be the Minister for Women and as the youngest member of Cabinet, will serve as the Minister for Youth.

Marlene Kairouz continues as Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. She will also be Minister for Suburban Development to ensure our growing outer suburbs get the services they need and deserve.

Adem Somyurek returns to the Cabinet as Minister for Local Government, working with councils across the state to ensure rate payers are getting value for money. He will also be the Minister for Small Business.

Richard Wynne will continue as Minister for Planning and take on the Housing portfolio. Minister Wynne has long been a passionate supporter and advocate for our diverse and vibrant state and will also become the Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

Mary-Anne Thomas will continue in her role as the Cabinet Secretary and Danny Pearson will serve as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

The Cabinet will be supported in their work by a number of Machinery of Government changes, effective from 1 January 2019.

The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources will transition to two new
departments – the Department of Transport (DOT) and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).

A renewed focus on improving community safety and crime prevention in Victoria will be a priority for the Department of Justice and Regulation, which will be renamed the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS).

Cabinet

Parliamentary Secretaries

*Jaclyn Symes will be sworn in when the Victorian Electoral Commission confirms her election. Until that time, Minister Pulford will retain Regional Development and Agriculture and the Treasurer will retain Resources.