James Merlino

Four of the Victorian government's most senior ministers will announce their retirement from politics at the next election, joining two other ministers who ...

Andrews is part of the Socialist Left while Merlino is from the Right faction. Under Labor’s factional convention, the deputy comes from a different faction to the premier. Truly the work he has done in education has been quite extraordinary … he has a wonderful legacy to celebrate.” “Governments win or lose on their record and what they commit to do, and ... I can tell you I’m 100 per cent energised for the election.” Neville took a lengthy leave of absence last year after revealing she had been battling Crohn’s disease. The Labor Party has already lost several senior ministers over the past three years.

Four senior ministers are expected to announce their retirement from politics at this year's state election in Victoria, forcing a major cabinet reshuffle.

"James has been a wonderful friend and minister. The work he has done in education has been quite extraordinary." The ministers include; deputy premierJames Merlino, health minister Martin Foley, police minister Lisa Neville, and sport and tourism minister Martin Pakula.

James Merlino – Deputy Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Member for Monbulk – has advised me he will not seek.

James is a great campaigner because he is part of his local community, and he lives his Labor values every day. A year on, work is underway on 90 per cent of Royal Commission’s recommendations. Camps, sports and excursions funded for kids from lower-income families. In the last eight years, we’ve upgraded more than 1850 schools. Someone of conviction and compassion. A person of great integrity and ability, a person of principle and a politician who gets things done.

The process of reshuffling the cabinet and finding a new deputy for premier Daniel Andrews is underway after the four senior ministers confirmed their ...

Clay Lucasis a senior reporter, and has worked at The Age since 2005, covering urban affairs, transport, state and federal politics, workplace relations, aged care and the pandemic. “We often say that in Victoria, equality is not negotiable. A mental health practitioner in every government secondary school”. Free dental care for public school students. Camps, sports and excursions funded for kids from lower-income families. “While our government is often referred to as the Andrews Labor Government, nothing we’ve achieved in infrastructure, in health and education, in equality, in jobs and skills, in any area – would have been possible without the hard work, determination and leadership of the best deputy any premier could ever wish for,” Andrews said in a statement.

Victoria's deputy premier, health minister, police minister and former attorney general have all announced they are leaving politics.

I'd like to think I'm not one of them. "I am no different. A rare combination." "I want to particularly thank Daniel who has been a great friend and support during my time in the Parliament. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve as a senior minister in his Cabinet since 2014." "And only after consulting with doctors, family and my friends, I have decided to not re-contest the seat of Bellarine in the 2022 state election. "A Premier who not only has the biggest and boldest ideas to improve the lives of Victorians, but the energy, capacity and grit to actually get it done.