DAN’S NEW FRONTLINE
Locals survive cabinet reshuffle
LISA Neville will remain the state’s Police Minister in Daniel Andrews’ new-look Cabinet.
Premier Andrews yesterday unveiled a major reshuffle to his frontbench, with Ms Neville retaining her police and water portfolios.
The Bellarine MP has also picked up responsibility for emergency services.
Fellow Geelong-based member Gayle Tierney will also have familiar roles, continuing as Minister for Training, Skills and Higher Education.
Among the changes to Cabinet, former Health Minister Jill Hennessy becomes the state’s new Attorney-General, while the man she replaces – Martin Pakula – picks up the tourism and sport portfolios vacated by Lara MP John Eren.
The reshuffle coincides with Mr Andrews’ announcing an overhaul of a key government department.
From January 1, the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources will be split in two to become the Department of Transport and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.
It comes as the Andrews Government promised not to waste a single day of its second term and began works on the North East Link and boring the 9km Metro Tunnel under Melbourne.
The government’s leader in the lower house, Jacinta Allan, will transition from Public Transport Minister to Transport Infrastructure, with newcomer Melissa Horne to take on her former role, as well as ports and freight.
Upper House MP Jenny Mikakos will handball the tough youth justice portfolio to Ben Carroll, and instead pick up health.
Adem Somyurek will return to Cabinet — having been booted three years ago over bullying allegations — as Local Government and Small Business Minister.
Meanwhile, Western Victoria MP Jaala Pulford will shuffle from Agriculture to Roads and take on the new “fishing and boating” portfolio.
Despite the major shake-up some senior ministers have retained their portfolios, including Tim Pallas as Treasurer and Deputy Premier James Merlino in Education.