Nicholas Kotsiras was appointed Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources this week in Premier Denis Napthine’s sweeping cabinet reshuffle. He will retain his Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship portfolio.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Mr Kotsiras described his new responsibilities as “an exciting and important portfolio where he would be continuing ‘the good work of Minister Michael O’Brien’.
“I look forward to working with industry and with all Victorians to ensure consumers have access to energy that is affordable, reliable and more sustainable,” said Mr Kotsiras.
The minister’s new duties will include managing the state’s powers in regard to energy sustainability, safety and affordability, regulatory controls and relations with the energy industries.
His predecessor Michael O’Brien was moved to Treasurer as Denis Napthine shored up his frontbench team.
The reshuffle cost Victorian Police Minister Peter Ryan his portfolio as the new Premier demoted two of the most powerful members of the cabinet, putting some clear blue water between his administration and that of Ted Baillieu.
As well as taking police from Mr Ryan – a portfolio that inevitably proved toxic after the Simon Overland affair, Kim Wells was dumped as Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Richard Dalla-Riva was sacked from the frontbench.
Denying accusations of factionalism within the Liberal Parliamentary Party, Dr Napthine said he had selected his frontbench on his own and had chosen what he said was the best line-up from the available talent.
Speculation continues that there was considerably more behind Ted Baillieu’s resignation than has been reported.
Political analyst Nick Economou told Neos Kosmos that Napthine’s reshuffle had “forced a reality check on the Nationals”.
“It’s clever politics. Ryan had to be removed from the Police portfolio – he should never have had that portfolio in the first place.
“National Party MPs should only hold agriculture and rural-interest oriented portfolios,” said the Monash University lecturer in political science.
“O’Brien is a good appointment as Treasurer. It’s a circuit breaker appointment that will please the business community at least in the short term.
“The Liberal Party denies it has factions but factionalism is a reality of party politics,” said Dr Economou.