STATE Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes has had a change of portfolio under sweeping changes made by new Premier, Ben Carroll.
Ms Symes has moved from the role of Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations – now occupied by State Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks and Minister for Regional Development – occupied by State Member for Eureka Michaela Settle.
She will now take over the role as Minister for Energy and Resources, the State Electricity Commission, Climate Action and Environment, while also resuming her role as the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
Ms Symes assumes the role from retiring State Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio, who is stepping down after the November election.
Speaking on the changes, Mr Carroll said the moves were designed to save taxpayer money.
“My team is experienced and united, focused on getting things done,” he said.
“I have reduced the Ministry. This is a simple measure I can make right now to save taxpayers money.
“Because every dollar my government spends will be treated with respect and only where it delivers the greatest value for Victorians.
“Together, we will ensure our Cabinet earns the trust Victorians place in it.”
In a media statement on social media, Ms Symes said it was a ‘great privilege’.
“I had the great privilege to be sworn in as Minister for Energy and Resources in the new Carroll Ministry, and finishing my time as the 54th Treasurer of Victoria, and the first ever female Treasurer in this State,” she said.
“When I was appointed Treasurer, I understood the responsibility that came with it – not just to manage the state’s finances, but to do it with fairness and Labor values at its core.
“I’m immensely proud that we returned the budget to surplus – the only Government on the east coast to do so this year – while never losing sight of the services Victorians rely on.
“We stuck to our fiscal strategy that is seeing debt as a share of the economy reducing over time, and we have done this while growing our economy and creating good jobs across the whole state.
“That’s what responsible economic management looks like under Labor: discipline in the books, and dignity for working people.
“I could only do this because of the strong economy that this Labor Government has shaped over the last ten years.
“Over that time, over 893,000 jobs were created in Victoria, with nearly 100,000 since I became Treasurer, and over 58,000 of them to women.
“Our strong financial management was also backed by our understanding that families are doing it tough.
“I am eager and thrilled to start in new portfolios, knowing that I follow in the footsteps of a Labor giant Lily D’Ambrosio.
“I’m firmly convinced that our energy and resources sector is central to Victoria’s economic future – a source of secure, well-paid jobs and the foundation of the next generation of our prosperity.”
Also across the Cabinet, State Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence remains the Minister for Community Sport, but will also have the new portfolio of Minister for Youth Justice, Corrections and Victime Support.