Two senior Victorian Labor ministers announced Thursday they won't recontest their seats in November's election, leaving three cabinet vacancies as the party scrambles to rebuild under new Premier Ben Carroll. Harriet Shing, the health minister and close ally of former premier Jacinta Allan, and Lily D'Ambrosio, who oversaw Victoria's renewable energy transformation for nearly four years, are stepping down from cabinet.
The exits come just days after Allan resigned as premier on Tuesday, creating immediate pressure on Carroll to stabilize a government facing electoral headwinds. He'd already promised one cabinet spot to Tim Richardson to replace Allan. Now he needs to fill three positions for the Left faction.
A Legacy of Climate Action
D'Ambrosio's departure marks the end of an era. She's the last remaining minister from Daniel Andrews' first cabinet in 2014 and, along with Allan, the last Labor MP from the Bracks-Brumby government still in office. Her 24 years representing Mill Park included nearly four as what she called "Australia's longest serving Energy and Climate Minister."
The numbers tell the story of her tenure. When Labor returned to office 12 years ago, renewable power supplied less than 11 percent of Victoria's energy. It's now 45 percent. "Where Victoria has gone, the rest of the country has followed," D'Ambrosio said.
Environment Victoria, an independent not-for-profit, praised her as "arguably [the] most effective climate and energy minister." Chief executive Jono La Nauze didn't mince words: "When D'Ambrosio came to office, Victoria had the dirtiest power system in the country and many thought rapid decarbonisation was next to impossible." Her reforms, he said, "saved Victorian households millions of dollars in the process."
D'Ambrosio used her exit to encourage women and girls to pursue politics. "I hope that my life in public service shows all girls what is possible for them no matter their faith, what they look like or the way they speak," she said. She's been in government for 20 of her 24 years in office and said she hoped a local woman would replace her as Labor's candidate in Mill Park.
Electoral Pressures Mount
Shing, first elected in 2014, held the second position on Labor's upper house ticket at the 2022 election four years ago. That left her vulnerable to losing her seat in November, given Labor expects to suffer a swing. There's been persistent haggling over upper house positions, with some Labor figures arguing that abolishing group voting tickets could shore up candidates in the second position.
In her statement, Shing said she was proud of the party's achievements but that it was time to "pass these opportunities and obligations on to the next person." She pledged support for Carroll, saying "He deserves the full support, solidarity, and respect of the Cabinet, the Caucus, and our entire labour movement as he takes the Government forward and into the all-important contest against the Liberal Party and One Nation in November."
Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari described Shing as "a true believer, who put on her boxing gloves each morning to fight Liberals." He said "She played an important role in the struggle for equality, a lasting legacy for our great state."
Cabinet Reshuffle Looms
Backbenchers were haggling over cabinet positions Thursday, with further resignations speculated. Carroll will hold a caucus meeting Monday to make new appointments. "Portfolio arrangements will be confirmed very soon and the new Ministry will be sworn in shortly following," he said. He said Victorians were "calling for a new direction" and that he would deliver that.
Carroll thanked both ministers for their service. "Over many years of dedicated service, they have brought compassion, determination and a strong sense of purpose to their roles, delivering outcomes that have improved the lives of Victorians and strengthened the communities they represent," he said.
Why This Matters:
The simultaneous departure of two senior ministers—one who led Victoria's renewable energy transition and another who championed equality—represents more than routine political turnover. D'Ambrosio's work demonstrably shifted Victoria from having the country's dirtiest power system to one where nearly half the energy comes from renewables, proving that rapid decarbonization isn't just possible but can save households money. Her exit removes institutional memory and expertise at a moment when climate action requires sustained commitment. Shing's advocacy for equality and her visibility as a fighter for progressive causes leaves a gap in representation. With Labor facing electoral pressure and three cabinet vacancies to fill just months before voters decide, the party's ability to maintain its focus on climate progress, social equity, and public services will be tested. The question isn't just who fills these seats, but whether the incoming ministers will continue policies that demonstrably improved lives and protected the environment.