NORTHERN VICTORIA: Local MP demoted by her own party
Kilmore-based MP Jaclyn Symes has lost the third-most senior position in State politics, at the hands of her own party.
Ms Symes has been removed from the Treasurer’s position by new Premier Ben Carroll.
Ms Symes, who lives at Broadford, was closely aligned with former Premier Jacinta Allan.
The new portfolio assigned to Ms Symes is to be Minister for Energy and resources, which was vacated by Lily D’Ambrosio, who has indicated whe will not contest her Mill Park seat at the November State Election.
Ms Symes will handle the ancillary ministeries of State Electricity Commission, Climate Action, Environment and will remain the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
Ms Symes, 38, completed Year 12 at Benalla,
then moved to Melbourne in 1997 to undertake a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University. She was admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer in 2006. During her early career, Ms Symes worked as carer for people with intellectual disabilities.
Following her time as a carer, Ms Symes was drawn to the union movement and took up a role with the Australian Services Union as an Industrial Officer.
She became an Advisor to the former Bracks/Brumby Labor Government working for the then Deputy Premier and Attorney General Rob Hulls.
Ms Symes became Senior Legal and Justice Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Andrews.
At the November 2014 election,she was elected to Parliament as a Member for Northern Victoria.
After her re-election in the 2018 Victorian State Election, Ms Symes was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources and Deputy Leader of the Legislative Council.
In 2019, Ms Symes became the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. Until 2024, she was the Attorney General and Minister for Emergency Services before a change in portfolios led her to become the Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Regional Development.