Andrews unveils new ministry

THE re-elected Andrews Government’s ministry was sworn in at a ceremony at Victoria’s Government House on Monday.

Jacinta Allan remains Deputy-Premier and in charge of Victoria’s major transport infrastructure builds, Tim Pallas will serve a third term as Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes stays on as attorney-general and Mary-Anne Thomas continues as health minister.

But Sonya Kilkenny will become the state’s new planning minister, taking the portfolio from Lizzie Blandthorn.

Last term, Ms Blandthorn recused herself from any decision making that involved or mentioned her lobbyist brother John-Paul Blandthorn’s construction and development clients.

Ms Blandthorn will, however, enter the senior ministry and become Deputy-Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, where she moved to from the Legislative Assembly at this election.

She is also taking on the portfolios of disability, ageing and carers, and child protection and family services, and leading the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Lily D’Ambrosio will become State Electricity Commission minister, part of Labor’s election promise to re-boot the commission as renewables-only, and remain minister for climate action and energy.

She will lead the transition from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, with resources and agriculture to move into this department.

However, after six years of being in charge of the environment portfolio, Ms D’Ambrosio will hand that responsibility over to Ingrid Stitt, who will also continue as early childhood and pre-prep minister.

Enver Erdogan is entering the ministry with corrections, youth justice, victim support and Natalie Suleyman also joins cabinet with veterans, small business and youth.

Gabrielle Williams will gain the ambulance services portfolio and remain the minister for treaty and First Peoples.

Colin Brooks is taking on the housing portfolio from Danny Pearson, who remains assistant Treasurer while taking on consumer affairs, WorkSafe and the Traffic Accident Commission.

– BY KAITLYN OFFER/ AAP