Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan defends promotion of new minister with close John Setka links after sudden cabinet reshuffle

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has promoted four Labor members to her cabinet following an exodus of veteran Ministers ahead of the state election. Finance Minister Danny Pearson, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and Water Minister Gayle Tierney made the shock announcement they would be stepping down from politics on Monday. Their resignations followed the departure of former Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins, who vacated her position in October. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke, Eureka MP Michaela Settle, Box Hill MP Paul Hamer and Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch were all promoted to Ms Allan’s cabinet on Tuesday morning. It has not yet been revealed who will get what vacant portfolio in Ms Allan’s shuffled cabinet, with the decision to be announced at a swearing in ceremony on Wednesday. The appointment of Ms Grigorovitch, a former Rail, Tram and Bus Union state secretary with ties to disgraced ex-CFMEU boss John Setka, drew the ire of Opposition Attorney-General James Newbury. “Anyone who brings John Setka onto the floor of parliament with his long history, frankly, you have to ask if she’s even fit to be a member of parliament, let alone a Minister of the Crown,” he said. “The star recruit in the Labor reshuffle has the closest links to the CFMEU in the Labor Party.” Ms Grigorovitch’s promotion to cabinet comes as the Allan government faces pressure to launch a Royal Commission into the CFMEU corruption scandal. When pressed on her reaction to Mr Newbury’s comments, Ms Allan defended her decision. “It’s comments like these from the member for Brighton that remind Victorians every day that the Liberal Party is not focused on Victorians,” Ms Allan said. “They’re extreme, they’re divided, and will just simply cut the things that matter to Victorian families. “I’m proud today to stand here with our new team, with new talent and new energy, who are going to work incredibly hard every single day for the Victorian community because we understand that we are there to make life easier, safer and more affordable.” Ms Grigorovitch said she had “no regrets” over her ties to Mr Setka, insisting she doesn’t “ditch (her) mates when things get tough”. “I was a union secretary for close to 10 years, and that was a very proud time during my career,” she said. When questioned if she would still take phone calls with Mr Setka, Ms Grigorovitch answered, “depends what he’s calling about”.