Victorian minister Steve Dimopoulos has emerged as a potential candidate to become the state’s next treasurer. Serving now as the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Environment, and Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Dimopoulos is among those considered to replace Tim Pallas who stepped down abruptly on Monday.
Pallas’s resignation as Victoria’s long-standing Treasurer, leaves Premier Jacinta Allan tasked with finding a capable successor to address the state’s unprecedented debt levels.
In a press conference on Monday, Pallas announced his resignation from both his ministerial role and his position as the Member for Werribee.
Pallas, who has spent 14 years as a minister and a decade as Treasurer, described his departure as bittersweet.
“It has been a great honour and privilege to serve,” Pallas stated. “Ultimately, there is no perfect time to step away from the responsibility and privilege of public office. But for me, that time has come… Good governments understand the need for renewal.”
Pallas acknowledged that his decision was driven by the belief that the Labor Party no longer required his leadership.
While Premier Allan has not disclosed who will take over the state’s finances, she confirmed that the decision will follow a meeting of the Labor caucus on Wednesday morning. The Premier holds the final authority over cabinet appointments.
According to six unnamed Labor sources cited by The Age, discussions have already begun among party members. Leading contenders include Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, with Dimopoulos also being mentioned as a strong candidate.
Dimopoulos has previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer. Before entering politics, he managed a small business and employed staff, further cementing his ties with the business community.
Dimopoulos has yet to comment on his potential candidacy. Neos Kosmos reached out to the minister but he was unavailable.
As a senior member of the Victorian government, Dimopoulos regularly engages with business leaders through his current ministerial roles, making him a viable contender for the Treasurer portfolio.
A final decision on the new Treasurer will be announced following Wednesday’s parliamentary meeting.
