Deputy Prime Minister James Merlino has announced that he will step down from the cabinet and as a Labor deputy leader, as he thanked his wife for being the “rock” of the family while missing important milestones.
Health Minister Martin Foley said he would also resign immediately as a minister, honoring his wife and family. He said: “Now is the time to pay them for everything they have done.”
(LR) James Merlino and Martin Foley have announced they will retire, Lisa Neville and Martin Pakula are due to follow on Friday.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said that while she would resign as a minister, she hoped to continue in the public service.
Martin Pakula, minister of a wide range of portfolios such as tourism, sports and major events, said it was time for him to leave politics.
“As politicians, we are notoriously bad at appreciating when considerations for our own well-being demand that we stop and find something else to do with our lives,” he said.
“I’d like to think I’m not one of them.”
The Socialist Labor Left faction met throughout Friday morning to determine its election for the cabinet and deputy prime minister. The Minister of Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, is becoming the leader of the post.
Prime Minister Daniel Andrews praised Merlin’s contribution.
“While our government is often known as the Andrews Labor Government, nothing we have achieved in infrastructure, health and education, equality, jobs and skills, in any area, would have been possible without the hard work, the determination and leadership of the best MP any prime minister could ever desire, ”Andrews said in a statement.