Allan names cabinet, tested in first question time

JACINTA Allan has fended off a barrage of questions in her first parliamentary sitting day as Victoria’s leader on Tuesday.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto put the new Premier through her paces as she took the hot seat after being sworn in as Daniel Andrews’ successor.

She was quizzed on plans to expand the vacant residential land tax, the state of Victoria’s finances, the Government’s cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and its contentious Suburban Rail Loop.

“I am feeling a little bit like I’m driving the DeLorean in Back to the Future,” she quipped on the rail project.

“We’ve had this conversation before but delighted to do it again because I remind the leader of the opposition that the Suburban Rail Loop is a project Victorians voted for not once but twice.”

The Member for Bendigo East was previously Deputy-Premier, was also pushed by the Greens on why Labor’s recently released housing statement did not include a freeze or cap on rents.

“We’ve looked at the evidence and what the member is proposing doesn’t work,” Ms Allan said.

Earlier, the Premier shared a congratulatory handshake with Mr Pesutto and his deputy David Southwick as Parliament returned following the sudden retirement of Mr Andrews last week.

In her first parliamentary act, Ms Allan presented lower house Speaker and fellow Bendigo MP Maree Edwards with details of her new ministry after a swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

In the reshuffle, Ms Allan ceded her high-profile roles as Minister for Transport Infrastructure and the Suburban Rail Loop to Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson.

Newly appointed Deputy-Premier Ben Carroll became Minister for Education and Medical Research but relinquishes public transport.

Tim Pallas, who vied for the Deputy-Premier role, remained Treasurer after speculation he could follow Mr Andrews out the door.

Mr Carroll’s replacement as public transport minister is Gabrielle Williams, while Natalie Hutchins swapped education for jobs and industry, women and returns to the treaty and first peoples portfolio.

Colin Brooks has become minister for Development Victoria, precincts and creative industries.

In a major promotion, Harriet Shing takes over from Mr Brooks as housing minister after Labor released its housing statement last month.

Lizzie Blandthorn has taken charge of the expanded portfolio for children, bringing together the work across government on education and the protection system.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos becomes environment minister, replacing Ingrid Stitt who is in charge of mental health, aging and multicultural affairs.

Eltham MP Vicki Ward was elevated into cabinet, filling Mr Andrews’ vacant spot, as minister for prevention of family violence and employment.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas adds ambulance services to her responsibilities.

Ms Allan was last week sworn in as Victoria’s second woman leader and the first Labor premier from regional Victoria in almost 100 years.

Mr Pesutto also informed the house of changes to his shadow cabinet, including the frontbench return of former opposition leader Matthew Guy as public transport spokesman.

In other moves, opposition finance spokeswoman Jess Wilson picked up early childhood and education as the Coalition’s new upper house deputy leader Evan Mulholland replaced her as shadow home ownership and housing affordability minister.

– AAP