Victorian premier Daniel Andrews will need to complete a major cabinet reshuffle after his deputy premier, James Merlino, and three other senior ministers announced they are retiring.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews will need to complete a major cabinet reshuffle after his deputy premier, James Merlino, and three other senior ministers announced they are retiring.
“Renewal is critical for any government – fresh ideas and new energy. As hard as this is, I believe in my heart that renewal, new cabinet ministers around the table, is the best thing for the government and our state,” Merlino said.The four retirements are in addition to other senior Labor MPs, including former attorney general Jill Hennessy and the planning minister, Richard Wynne, who announced last year they would be retiring at the election., who is of the socialist left.
Foley, a 15-year parliamentary veteran who took over from Jenny Mikakos as health minister after her resignation in September 2020, said the pandemic had been a tough time for all Victorians, forcing many to reflect on their aspirations. The premier said without Foley, there would be no royal commission into mental health or the establishment of Victoria’s first medically supervised injecting room.“Martin has never been afraid to face difficult issues, and make difficult decisions, when he knew it was the right thing to do – and when he knew it would help people,” Andrews said.