Four Top Victorian Labor Ministers Retire, State Cabinet to Reshuffle

Victorian Deputy Premier, James Merlino, speaks to the media at the daily press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on June 24, 2021. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Victorian Labor government has been forced to organise a cabinet reshuffle after four senior ministers announced their retirement.

On June 24, Deputy Premier James Merlino, Health Minister Martin Foley, Police Minister Lisa Neville and Sports Minister Martin Pakula issued statements confirming their decisions to step down from the cabinet. They also would not recontest in the November state election.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that the government would discuss portfolio arrangements at a closed-door meeting on June 25.

In the transition period, Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas is expected to take over the health department, while there will also be changes in other ministerial positions.

The Premier said he was very sad to announce the farewell of several of his colleagues.

“But when the time is right, when you know, then this is the right decision to make in the interest of not just the government, but in the interest of our state,” Andrews told reporters

In his departing statement, Merlino said cabinet renewal was crucial to any government as it brought in fresh ideas and new energy.

“As hard as this is, I believe in my heart that renewal, new cabinet ministers around the table, is the best thing for the government and our state,” he said.

Health Minister’s Exit

The Victorian Minister for Health, Martin Foley, speaks to the media at the daily press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on July 26, 2021. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Foley’s departure will result in the Labor party appointing a fourth health minister since its coming to power in 2014.

“The past two years have been a tough time for all Victorians,” Foley said.

“Many of us have come to reflect on what we aspire to achieve. I am no different. I am looking forward to contributing to a better, fairer, sustainable Victoria in a different capacity.”

On Pakula’s side, his exit concludes a 16-year political career.

In 2021, the lower house seat of Keysborough, which Pakula has held since 2014, was abolished due to an electoral redistribution. However, it had been expected that he would move to the upper house.

As he departed, Pakula said politics was all-consuming.

“As politicians, we are notoriously bad at appreciating when considerations for our own wellbeing demand that we stop and find something else to do with our lives,” he said.

“I'd like to think I’m not one of them.”

Police Minister Calls Retirement A Tough Decision

Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville speaks during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 4, 2021. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Neville said resigning was one of the toughest decisions of her life, and it was made after she consulted her doctors.

Neville, who has Crohn’s disease has had to take extended leave in 2021 for medical treatment.

“My recovery in 2021 allowed me to resume work in late 2021, but I know I cannot give another four years,” she said.

“I wish it were otherwise, but I must be honest with myself, the wonderful people I work with and the Bellarine community.”

Currently, among the 22 Victorian Labor MPs sworn into the cabinet after the 2018 state election, only ten still remain.

Regarding the ministers’ announcements, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said their retirements were a revolt rather than a party renewal.

“The only true renewal we'll see is at the November election when Daniel Andrews is defeated,” he said.