Three veteran Labor MPs will stand down from their roles in cabinet and will not contest Victoria’s state election in November.
Health Minister Mary Anne-Thomas, Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson and Minister for Water Gayle Tierney all announced on Monday they would not contest their respective seats at the next election.
The trio will retire from the ministry immediately, with the Labor caucus to meet tomorrow to appoint their successors.
Among the Labor MPs floated as potential candidates in the cabinet reshuffle include Paul Edbrooke, Michaela Settle, Paul Hamer, Luba Grigorovitch and Tim Richardson.
Premier Jacinta Allan thanked all three of her colleagues for their contributions.
“I want to thank my long-time colleagues – Mary-Anne Thomas, Danny Pearson and Gayle Tierney – for their tireless work over many years as they retire from the ministry and, at the end of the year, the parliament,” she said.
“They have each left an indelible mark on this state, our government and the great Labor movement.”
Jacinta Allan thanked her three longtime colleagues for their contributions to the state. (ABC News)
Ms Thomas has served as member for Macedon since 2014 and as health minister since 2022.
She also served as minister for ambulance services, regional development and agriculture during her tenure in the Andrews and Allan governments.
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” she said.
“It’s been the best time of my life.“
Ms Thomas took over the health portfolio following the COVID-19 pandemic, and said the work had been both hard and “incredibly rewarding”.
“I have worked all my life for a better, fairer and more equal world, and my approach has always been to leave nothing in the tank,” she said.
“I realise that I can’t make that same commitment for another four years.”
‘Simply time to pass the baton’
Mr Pearson has served as member for Essendon since 2014, holding a multiple portfolios over that time, including most recently as finance minister and the minister for economic growth and jobs.Â
He was emotional as he announced his retirement on Monday, taking several moments to collect himself before thanking his electorate.
“I’ve done a job I love. I’ve worked with people who I admire and respect,” he said.
“Public life is a gift, and government is the greatest of gifts.Â
“I’ve been so fortunate to have this experience, and I want to thank the people of Essendon for giving me this opportunity.”
Mr Pearson highlighted his work in helping to ban engineered stone across the state as one of his achievements.
Ms Tierney is the longest tenured of the three, having represented Western Victoria Region since 2006 under then-premier Steve Bracks.
The three will continue to serve as MPs until November. (ABC News: Leanne Wong)
She was praised for her contributions to the vocational education sector following Monday’s announcement.
“Minister Tierney has been a tireless champion for the TAFE sector, moving public vocational education to the centre of Victoria’s economic and social policy,” Victorian TAFE Association chief executive Alex White said.
“Her legacy of Free TAFE is the thousands of Victorians now working in decent, secure jobs because the barriers to quality training were removed, and has become a permanent fixture for the state’s workforce training landscape.”
Ms Tierney paid tribute to the people of western Victoria for electing her five times, and said she would continue to serve her constituents until the election.
“It is a sad day in some ways, but I’ve got to say it’s also an exciting day for myself and my family,” she said.
“After nearly 20 years in parliament, for me, it is simply time to pass the baton.”
During her tenure, Ms Tierney oversaw the introduction of Free TAFE as Minister for Skills and TAFE.
Victorians will head to the polls for the state election on November 28.
