Two Victorian Labor ministers, Harriet Shing and Lily D'Ambrosio, announced their retirement from politics on Thursday, opening cabinet positions within a government that has overseen the continued commodification of essential services while claiming 'achievements' in managing the state's energy supply.
Ms Shing, a senior government minister and close ally of former premier Jacinta Allan, was first elected in 2014. She informed new premier Ben Carroll that she would not seek re-election this November. Her statement expressed pride in the party's governmental achievements, stating it was time to “pass these opportunities and obligations on to the next person.” She also affirmed her belief that the party's efforts would remain “grounded in the principles and priorities that drive all of us,” and called for “full support, solidarity, and respect” for Premier Carroll.
Ms D'Ambrosio reflected on her 24 years representing Mill Park and nearly four years as “Australia's longest serving Energy and Climate Minister.” Her tenure saw renewable power increase from less than 11 per cent when Labor returned to office in 2014 to 45 per cent today. She stated that her proudest achievement was overseeing this energy transition, claiming her reforms “saved Victorian households millions of dollars in the process.”
The State's Role in Energy
This shift in energy sources, while presented as a benefit to households, does not fundamentally alter the private ownership or commodification of energy production. The state, through its ministers, manages the system's contradictions by adjusting inputs, rather than challenging the structure of profit extraction from essential services. Ms D'Ambrosio, the last remaining minister from Daniel Andrews' first cabinet in 2014, and one of the last Labor MPs from the Bracks-Brumby government, encouraged women and girls to pursue political careers, stating, “Always back yourselves and each other.” She hopes a local woman will replace her as the Labor candidate in Mill Park.
Her exit, alongside Ms Shing's, creates three new vacancies in cabinet for the Left faction. This follows former premier Jacinta Allan's resignation on Tuesday, which had already created one cabinet position, promised to Tim Richardson. Premier Carroll now faces a caucus meeting on Monday to make new appointments, with portfolio arrangements to be confirmed shortly thereafter. He stated Victorians were “calling for a new direction,” a common refrain from those tasked with managing the existing order.
Official Labor's Endorsement
Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari praised Ms D'Ambrosio as “a fierce fighter & hard working minister,” calling her an “unrelenting, unstoppable force of nature.” He also lauded Ms Shing as “a true believer, who put on her boxing gloves each morning to fight Liberals,” crediting her with an “important role in the struggle for equality.” This endorsement from official labor leadership highlights the alignment between sections of the workers' movement and state actors who operate within the established political economy.
Independent not-for-profit organisation Environment Victoria also congratulated Ms D'Ambrosio for “an incredible career,” calling her “arguably [the] most effective climate and energy minister.” Chief executive Jono La Nauze noted that when Ms D'Ambrosio took office, Victoria had the “dirtiest power system in the country,” and rapid decarbonisation was thought “next to impossible.” He credited her with proving “the doubters wrong,” reinforcing the narrative of system management rather than systemic change.
Ms Shing's position on Labor’s upper house ticket at the 2022 election had left her vulnerable to losing her seat in the upcoming November election, given expected swings against Labor. Persistent haggling over upper house positions has occurred, with some Labor figures suggesting abolishing group voting tickets could protect candidates in second positions. This internal maneuvering for political survival underscores the careerist dimensions of state power, even as ministers claim to serve broader principles.