Victorian Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos will be appointed to Premier Jacinta Allan’s cabinet, filling the vacancy left by Treasurer Tim Pallas’ retirement. Staikos will step into the Victorian government ministry, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming days as part of Allan’s cabinet reshuffle.

“It has been a dream of mine since I was 28”, said Staikos to Neos Kosmos.
Staikos has served for the last 10 years in various roles “as well as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier”, so the elevation to a cabinet position is a recognition of that service.

“It is a great honour, and I am energised by the idea of the contribution I can make at that high level”.

“I think it’s also an important day for our Greek community because I think when my family stepped off the ship and Princess Pier in the 1960s, they would never have dreamed this would have happened,” said Staikos to Neos Kosmos.
Staikos said he is “looking forward to the hard work and being a member of parliament”.

I think it’s also an important day for our Greek community because I think when my family stepped off the ship and Princess Pier in the 1960s, they would never have dreamed this would have happene

Before entering politics, Staikos worked at ANZ Bank while studying at Monash University. He later served as a Glen Eira City councillor and has held roles supporting both state and federal Labor MPs.

“It requires hard work, and I’ve still got as much energy as I did when I first started so I’m looking forward to it.”

Staikos is not sure what portfolio he will take however he said that “it is up to the premier and I’m ready to serve in whichever portfolio she asked”.
The elevation of Staikos aligns with Labor’s existing stability deal, which gives him, a member of the Left-aligned National Union of Workers faction, priority for the position.

Rumours had circulated that Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas, a former secretary of the now-renamed United Workers Union, was considering challenging for the role. However, he ultimately did not contest.

The Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke was also viewed as a potential candidate from the Left but will remain outside the cabinet as Labor adheres to its factional agreements.

Staikos, as sources revealed, began consolidating support on Sunday night ahead of Pallas’ formal retirement announcement on Monday.
Premier Jacinta Allan declined to comment on the cabinet reshuffle or who would succeed Pallas as Treasurer when asked on Tuesday.