MELISSA Horne has emerged a winner in Victorian Premier Ben Carroll’s first cabinet, earning new portfolios to go with her existing position as Minister for Ports and Freight.
Ms Horne is now the Minister for Jobs, Industry and Advanced Manufacturing to go with as well as Defence Industry.
She has been something of a survivor in the world of government, having served as the Minister for Ports and Freight since December 2018, taking on the portfolio soon after Daniel Andrews government was first re-elected.
Other key appointments for business and logistics included Colin Brooks as the new treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations and Paul Hamer as the new Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
Anthony Carbines become the new Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy.
Industry body the Victorian Transport Association applauded the new cabinet appointments, stating that it “particularly welcomes the retention of Melissa Horne as Minister for Ports and Freight, providing continuity across one of Victoria's most critical economic portfolios”.
“Victoria's freight and logistics sector relies on effective collaboration between government and industry to keep supply chains moving, support exporters and underpin economic growth across the state,” the VTA stated.
VTA chief executive Peter Anderson said Ms Horne had “developed a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Victoria's freight and logistics industry”.
"The continuation of her responsibility for ports and freight provides important certainty for the industry as Victoria continues to manage freight growth, supply chain efficiency and the longer-term planning required to support our state's economic development,” Mr Anderson said.
Premier Ben Carroll said his team was “experienced and united, focused on getting things done”.
“I have reduced the Ministry. This is a simple measure I can make right now to save taxpayers money,” he said.
“Together, we will ensure our Cabinet earns the trust Victorians place in it.
“That includes a new Cabinet role to back AI and digital technology, growing our economy and jobs.”