Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing has picked up three ministerial roles as part of the State Government’s cabinet re-shuffle.
Ms Shing was named Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Equality.
Among the new appointments, Ms Shing and colleague Stephen Dimopoulos were celebrated as the first openly gay Victorian Ministers.
Ms Shing is also the first from a Chinese background.
In a statement on social media on 27 June, Ms Shing said: “I’m so honoured to have been sworn in as the Victorian Minister for Water, Regional Development, (and) Equality, (and) to serve in a Cabinet that is more diverse and inclusive than ever before.
“The work is underway, and I couldn’t happier to be part of it.“
However, the next day, she posted a photo of a Covid-positive RAT.
“Not quite the start I was hoping for…rest and working from home it is,“ Ms Shing stated.
In a statement, Premier Daniel Andrews said he was “sad to see close friends and long-time colleagues” James Merlino, Martin Foley, Lisa Neville, Martin Pakula and Richard Wynne retire from the ministry and, at the end of the year, Parliament.
After announcing his new ministry, Mr Andrews said the new appointments brought the number of women in cabinet to 14, adding it was “more than any other Australian jurisdiction”, with “three of the four parliamentary leadership positions also filled by women”.
Ms Shing was elected to the Legislative Council for Eastern Victoria in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.
Ms Shing has held a range of Parliamentary Secretary roles, including Emergency Services, Mental Health, Creative Industries, Equality, Water and Digital Government.
