I am very pleased to welcome two new Shadow Ministers to the Liberal Nationals team: Brad Rowswell MP and Matt Bach MP.
These appointments continue the renewal of the Liberal Nationals team, with two of our youngest MPs stepping up to help shape our vision for Victoria’s future.
Both Brad and Matt will bring energy, a great work ethic, policy nous and grassroots community understanding to their new roles.
Brad Rowswell MP has been appointed as Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Shadow Minister for Bay Protection and Shadow Minister for Fishing and Boating.
Brad understands the vital importance of Victorian families and workplaces having access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. As Member for Sandringham, Port Philip Bay is part of Brad’s backyard and he is committed to protecting it as an environmental and recreational asset for future generations.
As a parent of young children, Brad knows how important it is that Victoria become the best state in the country to foster an innovation culture and the creative and economic opportunities that follow.
Matt Bach MP has been appointed as Shadow Minister for Early Childhood, Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Training and Skills, Shadow Minister for Child Protection as well as Secretary to the Shadow Cabinet.
Our newest MP, Matt has a PhD in combatting recidivist crime and entered Parliament after a career as a teacher and educational leader, as well as having worked as a policy adviser to former Liberal Minister Mary Wooldridge.
Ensuring that Victorians – whether young or old – have access to the educational opportunities that will allow them to make the most of their potential will be key to Matt’s work. Protecting Victoria’s most vulnerable children through ensuring that our child protection works effectively is Matt’s passion.
Other changes to Shadow Ministerial portfolios announced today include:
David Davis MP adds the Planning and Heritage portfolio;
David Morris MP takes on Local Government and Housing;
Tim Smith MP assumes responsibility for Emergency Services, Resources, Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Roads (Metropolitan) Road Safety and TAC as well as Manufacturing and Industry;
David Southwick MP consolidates public safety responsibilities by adding Youth Justice and Crime Prevention to his portfolio; and
Bridget Vallence MP assumes the Equality portfolio.
Outside Shadow Cabinet, I am pleased to appoint James Newbury MP as the Shadow Assistant Minister for Scrutiny of Government in addition to his existing responsibilities for Wastewatch and Freedom of Information. With Bridget Vallence MP taking on additional Shadow Ministerial duties, she will step down from membership of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC). James will join PAEC and will actively hold Labor Ministers accountable for their misuse and waste of the record taxes paid by hardworking Victorians.
Bernie Finn MP will become Assistant Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety in place of his previous small business role. As a long-standing advocate for a safer Victoria, Bernie will work closely with David Southwick MP to hold Labor to account for its failures which harm the safety of Victorians and assist in developing Liberal Nationals policies to tackle crime and its causes.
These appointments take effect from today.
