Nick Staikos has taken on the Consumer Affairs and Local Government portfolios in Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s government. This follows a cabinet reshuffle announced earlier today.
Jaclyn Symes, previously the Minister for Justice, has been appointed Treasurer, succeeding Tim Pallas, who stepped down after a decade in the role. Symes is now the first woman to hold the position of Treasurer in Victoria and joins a select group of Treasurers from the Upper House, a distinction previously held by Labor’s John Lenders.
In addition to her new role, Symes will also serve as Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Regional Development.
Meanwhile, Steve Dimopoulos retains his position as a “super minister,” continuing to oversee the portfolios of Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Environment, and Outdoor Recreation.
Kat Theophanous has been appointed as Victoria’s first Parliamentary Secretary for Renters while continuing in her role as Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health.
Nick Staikos shared his thoughts on Facebook following his swearing-in ceremony:
“I have today been sworn in as Minister for Local Government and Minister for Consumer Affairs. I am looking forward to working hard in these important portfolio areas, as well as continuing as the Member for Bentleigh, which is the honour of my life.”
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT MINISTRY CHANGES:
* Jaclyn Symes
Gains: treasury, industrial relations and regional development
Loses: attorney-general and emergency services
Keeps: government upper house leader
* Danny Pearson
Gains: finance and economic jobs and growth
Loses: transport infrastructure, Suburban Rail Loop and assistant treasurer
Keeps: nothing
* Gabrielle Williams
Gains: transport infrastructure
Keeps: public and active transport
Loses: consumer affairs and government services
* Harriet Shing
Gains: Suburban Rail Loop, building, Development Victoria and precincts
Keeps: housing
Loses: water
* Sonya Kilkenny
Gains: attorney-general
Loses: suburbs
Keeps: planning
* Ben Carroll
Gains: WorkSafe and Transport Accident Commission
Loses: nothing
Keeps: deputy premier, education and medical research
* Mary-Anne Thomas
Gains: nothing
Loses: health infrastructure
Keeps: health, ambulance services and government lower house leader
* Enver Erdogan
Gains: casino, gaming and liquor regulation
Loses: victims
Keeps: corrections and youth justice
* Melissa Horne
Gains: health infrastructure
Loses: casino, gaming and liquor regulation
Keeps: ports and freight, and roads and road safety
* Nick Staikos
Gains: consumer affairs and local government
Loses: nothing (new member of cabinet)
* Vicki Ward
Gains: emergency services, natural disaster recovery and equality
Loses: prevention of family violence and employment
Keeps: nothing
* Natalie Hutchins
Gains: government services and prevention of family violence
Loses: jobs and industry
Keeps: women and treaty and first peoples
* Colin Brooks
Gains: industry and advanced manufacturing
Loses: Development Victoria and precincts
Keeps: creative industries
* Anthony Carbines
Gains: community safety and victims
Loses: crime prevention
Keeps: police and racing
* Natalie Suleyman
Gains: employment
Loses: nothing
Keeps: small business, youth and veterans
* Gayle Tierney
Gains: water
Loses: regional development
Keeps: skills and TAFE
NO CHANGE:
* Jacinta Allan (premier)
* Lizzie Blandthorn (upper deputy house leader, children and disability)
* Lily D’Ambrosio (climate action, energy and resources and the State Electricity Commission)
* Steve Dimopoulos (environment, tourism, sport and major events and outdoor recreation)
* Ros Spence (agriculture, carers and volunteers and community sport)
* Ingrid Stitt (mental health, ageing and multicultural affairs)
* Steve McGhie (cabinet secretary)
PORTFOLIO MOVES:
* Portfolios of natural disaster recovery and equality established
* Housing rebadged housing and building
* Crime prevention and suburbs no longer listed standalone portfolios
With AAP
