5 December | Victorian Labor New Ministry

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has unveiled his new ministry following the November 26 election that saw his government elected for a third term.

A major reshuffle in June ahead of the election meant there were not wholesale changes but the movement across factional lines by seven MPs including Treasurer Tim Pallas to the Socialist Left has concentrated more power in the hands of the Premier.

The major move in the ministry was that of former Planning Minister Lizzie Blandthorn to Disability, Ageing and Carers, Child Protection and Families.

Blandthorn’s shift from the lower house to upper house also sees her take on the role of deputy leader of the government in the Legislative Council.

Mary-Anne Thomas becomes Leader of the House as she adds Health Infrastructure and Medical Research to her existing Health Portfolio, while responsibility for Ambulance Services has been handed to Gabrielle Williams.

Sonya Kilkenny moves from Corrections to Planning, while Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll adds Industry and Innovation, Manufacturing Employment.

Four seats remain too close to call but the ALP is already well past the 45 seats required to form majority government.

The ABC currently has Labor on 52 seats, the Liberal/National Party Coalition on 27 seats and the Greens on four seats.

Labor is slightly ahead in three of the four outstanding contests, with the election in the western Gippsland seat of Narracan deferred due to the untimely death of the National Party candidate after nominations had closed.

In the Upper House, the ABC is currently projecting a final result of Labor 15, Coalition 14, Legalise Cannabis three, Greens two and one seat each for Liberal Democrats, Animal Justice, Shooters Fishers and Farmers, Transport Matters, the Democratic Labour Party and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

via The Age