Former Victorian minister Natalie Hutchins will return to Cabinet alongside two rookie ministers following Premier Daniel Andrews's tumultuous week in which he lost three ministers.
Key points:
- The new ministers will replace sacked powerbroker Adem Somyurek, and Robin Scott and Marlene Kairouz who resigned from their roles
- The three new members of Cabinet come from the Right of the Labor Party
- The changes follow allegations of branch-stacking and secret recordings of misogynistic language
Mr Andrews sacked powerbroker Adem Somyurek on Monday following allegations of widespread branch stacking and secret recordings of homophobic and misogynistic language.
Mr Somyurek denies the branch-stacking allegations and has indicated he will launch a "rigorous" defence of the claims.
His factional allies Robin Scott and Marlene Kairouz resigned over the scandal, vowing to clear their names.
Both said they did not want to be a distraction for the Government.
Sydenham MP Ms Hutchins, who stood down from the ministry in 2018 following the death of her husband, returns to Cabinet.
Upper House President Shaun Leane has also been appointed to the Cabinet.
He stood aside his role as Presiding Officer less than an hour before Mr Andrews made the announcement.
Essendon MP Danny Pearson will join them.
He has been the Premier's parliamentary secretary and has played a key role in negotiations with China.
Mr Pearson was due to replace Mr Somyurek but the Government failed to check the constitution, which only allows 17 lower house MPs in the Cabinet.
Premier praises returning minister's 'courage and conviction'
All three MPs are from the Right of the party, although none hail directly from Mr Somyurek's Moderate Labor grouping.
It has been a turbulent week for the Premier following the allegations, which he has referred to both Victoria Police and the anti-corruption commission, who have launched Operation Fortescue to probe the claims.
In a statement, Mr Andrews said portfolios would be allocated in the coming days.
He said he was extraordinarily proud to have Ms Hutchins return.
"Our Government has always been resolute in our commitment to meaningful equality. And I understand that all too often when women take a step back, they don't get another opportunity,'' he said.
"If you know Nat, you know her remarkable courage and conviction. Her return to Cabinet is testament to that tenacity ."
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2020-06-18 06:17:34Z
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