Health Minister and Veteran MPs Step Down Before Victorian State Election

Mary-Anne Thomas, Danny Pearson, and Gayle Tierney will not run in the next election.

In short:

Three veteran Labor MPs have stepped down from their ministerial roles and will not run in the next state election.

Mary-Anne Thomas, Danny Pearson, and Gayle Tierney will all step down from their current portfolios.

The parliamentary Labor party will meet tomorrow to appoint new cabinet members.

Three veteran Labor MPs will step down from their roles in cabinet and will not run in Victoria's state election in November.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson, and Minister for Water Gayle Tierney all announced they would not run in their respective seats at the next election.

The trio will retire from the ministry immediately, with the Labor caucus meeting tomorrow to appoint their successors.

Among the Labor MPs who might be in the cabinet reshuffle are Paul Edbrooke, Michaela Settle, Paul Hamer, Luba Grigorovitch, and Tim Richardson.

Premier Jacinta Allan thanked all three of her colleagues for their contributions.

Premier Jacinta Allan thanked her long-time colleagues for their tireless work over many years as they retire from the ministry and parliament.

They have each left a lasting impact on this state, our government, and the Labor movement.

Jacinta Allan thanked her three long-time colleagues for their contributions to the state.

Ms. Thomas has served as a member for Macedon since 2014 and as health minister since 2022.

She also served as minister for ambulance services, regional development, and agriculture during her tenure in the Andrews and Allan governments.

It doesn't get any better than this.

Ms. Thomas took over the health portfolio after the COVID-19 pandemic and said the work was both hard and rewarding.

I have worked all my life for a better, fairer, and more equal world, and my approach has always been to leave nothing in the tank.

I realize that I cannot make that same commitment for another four years.

Simply time to pass the baton

Mr. Pearson has served as a member for Essendon since 2014, holding multiple portfolios over that time.

He was emotional as he announced his retirement, taking several moments to collect himself before thanking his electorate.

I've done a job I love, I've worked with people who I admire and respect.

Public life is a gift, and government is the greatest of gifts.

I've been so fortunate to have this experience, and I want to thank the people of Essendon for giving me this opportunity.

Mr. Pearson highlighted his work in helping to ban engineered stone across the state as one of his achievements.

Ms. Tierney is the longest-tenured of the three, having represented Western Victoria Region since 2006 under then-premier Steve Bracks.

The three will continue to serve as MPs until November.

She was praised for her contributions to the vocational education sector following Monday's announcement.

Minister Tierney has been a champion for the TAFE sector, moving public vocational education to the center of Victoria's economic and social policy.

Her legacy of Free TAFE is the thousands of Victorians now working in decent, secure jobs because the barriers to quality training were removed.

Ms. Tierney paid tribute to the people of western Victoria for electing her five times and said she would continue to serve her constituents until the election.

It is a sad day, but also an exciting day for myself and my family.

After nearly 20 years in parliament, for me, it is simply time to pass the baton.

During her tenure, Ms. Tierney oversaw the introduction of Free TAFE as Minister for Skills and TAFE.

Victorians will head to the polls for the state election on November 28.

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