The Leader of the Opposition Michael O’Brien has announced a new-look Liberal Nationals Shadow Cabinet.
The Member for Evelyn Bridget Vallence has been promoted to Shadow Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Youth Affairs while Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell will join the Shadow Cabinet as Secretary to the Shadow Cabinet and Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition.
Michael O’Brien has also announced a new portfolio of Shadow Minister for Bushfire Recovery, to be held by Nationals Leader Peter Walsh with his existing responsibilities. Mr O’Brien has called on Daniel Andrews and Labor to follow suit with a dedicated Bushfire Recovery Minister to work with bushfire-affected communities and oversee the coordination of the ongoing recovery efforts.
The new-look Shadow Cabinet will also see some changes to portfolio responsibilities including Road Safety, Jobs Innovation and Trade, Finance, Boating and Fishing, Emergency Services and Youth Affairs.
The Shadow Cabinet reshuffle follows the departure from Parliament of the former Shadow Minister Mary Wooldridge.
Comments attributable to Leader of the Opposition, Michael O’Brien:
“My team has a strong plan to hold this arrogant Andrews Government to account and to deliver for all Victorians, no matter where they live.
“Bridget Vallence and Brad Rowswell are talented first-term MPs who will be strong additions to the Shadow Cabinet team. Other portfolio changes will strengthen my team’s focus on holding Labor accountable and exposing how they are failing to deliver for all Victorians.
“Victorians expect an opposition to not just hold this arrogant Andrews Government to account, but to offer a better alternative. That’s why my team has already announced a number of innovative policies including a plan to end Victoria’s waste and recycling crisis and a plan to ease the rising cost of energy.
“While the fires that devastated so much of our state are now contained, we know that it will take affected communities years to recover, and they need our continued support. We owe it to these communities to have a minister appointed who is directly responsible for the coordination of these ongoing efforts. While Daniel Andrews refuses to act, I have appointed a dedicated front bench position responsible for bushfire response.”
