Three veteran Labor MPs will step down from their positions in the cabinet and will not run in the upcoming Victoria 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 that they will not be contesting their seats in the next election. The trio will retire from the ministry immediately, and the Labor caucus will convene to appoint their replacements.
Potential candidates for the cabinet reshuffle include Paul Edbrooke, Michaela Settle, Paul Hamer, Luba Grigorovitch, and Tim Richardson. Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her gratitude to her three colleagues for their dedicated work over the years, acknowledging their lasting impact on the state, government, and the Labor movement.
Mary Anne-Thomas, who has been the member for Macedon since 2014 and the health minister since 2022, reflected on her time in office, stating that serving the community during the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging yet rewarding. She emphasized her commitment to creating a fair and equal world but felt that it was time to step down after years of service.
Danny Pearson, representing Essendon since 2014, announced his retirement emotionally, highlighting his fulfillment in public service and thanking the people of Essendon for the opportunity to serve. He noted his role in banning engineered stone across the state as one of his accomplishments.
Gayle Tierney, the longest-serving member of the three, having represented Western Victoria Region since 2006, was commended for her dedication to the vocational education sector. She expressed gratitude to her constituents and mentioned her excitement about new opportunities after nearly two decades in politics.
The three MPs will continue serving until the election on November 28, with their successors to be appointed in the upcoming Labor caucus meeting.
