Premier Jacinta Allan has a chance to renew her Ministry ahead of the Victorian State Election, with three members of her executive formally announcing they will not re-contest their seats.
Danny Pearson (Finance Minister), Mary-Anne Thomas (Health) and Gayle Tierney (Water, Skills & TAFE) will call time at the November 2026 poll. They follow the earlier retirement of Natalie Hutchins.
The departures are seen as an opportunity to promote new talent and manage internal factional tensions.
The resulting reshuffle is expected in the coming week, following a process that begins with meetings of Labor MPs to allocate factional positions and decide who will enter Cabinet. Premier Allan will then assign portfolios and make a public announcement.
Speculation is rife about who will step up. Treasurer Jaclyn Symes may absorb Danny Pearson’s Finance responsibilities, or Sonya Kilkenny could be moved from the Attorney-General and Planning roles.
Kilkenny is also considered a contender for the Health portfolio, while the role could alternatively go to Labor Left minister Ingrid Stitt, who currently holds Mental Health, Ageing and Multicultural Affairs.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll (Education, WorkSafe and TAC) may take on additional responsibilities, such as Transport or Infrastructure, while Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio is seen as a potential candidate for a broader economic role.
Tierney’s Water, Skills and TAFE responsibilities could be reassigned to a mid-tier minister such as Natalie Suleyman or Vicki Ward.
Possible new faces include Labor Left’s Sheena Watt (currently a Parliamentary Secretary) and Labor Right backbencher Ella George.
Primary is monitoring the changes closely. If you’re thinking about engaging government stakeholders ahead of the Victorian State Election, get in touch.
Craig Regan, Senior Account Director
Image: Parliament House, Victoria, via Wikimedia Commons
