Settle gets Regional Development, Agriculture ministries

Eureka MP Michaela Settle has been elevated to the state government’s front bench with dual portfolio responsibilities in a Cabinet reshuffle prompted by the resignation of three ministers.

Settle has been given the Regional Development and Agriculture portfolios in a new Cabinet announced by Premier Jacinta Allan this morning.

The reshuffle was forced by the announcements on Monday by Health Minister Mary Anne-Thomas, Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson and Minister for Water Gayle Tierney that they would retire from the ministry immediately.

They will not be seeking re-election at November’s poll.

The local MP’s promotion comes alongside those of Kororoit’s Luba Grigorovitch (Youth and Carers and Volunteers portfolios), Box Hill MP Paul Hamer (Youth Justice, Corrections and Local Government portfolios), and Paul Edbrooke of Frankston (Cost of Living, Men and Boys, Consumer Affairs, and Renters portfolios).

“Today I am announcing a new Cabinet – a strong, united Labor team focused on what matters most: making life easier, safer and more affordable,” Allan said in a statement.

“My Labor team has a unity of purpose that is guided by our values.

“This is a new team, with new energy and new solutions.”

Settle first won the former seat of Buninyong in 2018 and has held several parliamentary secretary roles including for regional Victoria, community sport and agriculture.

The ABC reported that she said on Tuesday: “I feel incredibly energised. I am really keen to get around that table and come up with many more new solutions to help Victorians and their families.

“I’ve spent a good part of my life in regional Victoria and am absolutely passionate about making sure that regional Victoria has the services and infrastructure close to home.”

She had not issued a statement immediately after the announcement of her portfolio responsibilities.