April 13, 2026 — 1:43pm
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Three Victorian Labor ministers have announced their retirement from politics ahead of the state election, adding to the exit of Natalie Hutchins in December and paving the way for a reshuffle of Jacinta Allan’s cabinet.
On Monday, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, Finance Minister Danny Pearson and Water Minister Gayle Tierney confirmed they would not contest the election in November and would immediately step down as ministers.
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas.Simon Schluter
Their decision will allow four backbench MPs to be elevated to the ministry, with former government services minister Hutchins stepping aside in December without a replacement being named.
Pearson’s and Tierney’s departures have been speculated for more than a year, even as both ministers had previously denied the rumours.
Thomas’ retirement came as a bigger surprise when discussions about her departure emerged over the past month.
She is currently the government’s leader in the lower house and one of Allan’s key lieutenants.
Danny Pearson, as infrastructure minister, with Jacinta Allan on a test train through the Metro Tunnel.Penny Stephens
Fronting the press on Monday, Thomas said her approach to politics had always been to leave nothing in the tank.
“I realise that I can’t make that same commitment for another four years,” she said.
Thomas pointed to the rollout of urgent care clinics, the virtual emergency department and expanded women’s health services as some of her key achievements.
She also acknowledged work underway to train GPs to diagnose ADHD – a policy which exposed tensions between the minister and Premier Jacinta Allan.
Announcing his retirement, Pearson said he felt an immense sense of gratitude and said he would be working with the new ALP candidate for Essendon to help deliver a fourth term for the Labor government.
“Politics is a team sport, and I am grateful to have been a member of an incredibly strong Labor team,” he said.
Gayle Tierney in Victorian parliament.Eamon Gallagher
Pearson pointed to digital initiatives – including the Service Victoria app, the AI mission statement and the attraction of data centres to Victoria as some of his proudest accomplishments in cabinet.
Tierney said it was not an easy decision to step down, but it felt right to do so, identifying TAFE reforms as some of her key achievements.
“After nearly 20 years in Parliament, for me, it is simply time to pass the baton,” she said.
Victorian Labor caucus will meet on Tuesday to vote on each minister’s replacement.
Allan will then allocate portfolios among the new ministry, a process she said would occur “very soon” with the new-look front bench to be sworn in “in due course”.
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Three Labor MPs, speaking anonymously to detail confidential discussions, said Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch, Eureka MP Michaela Settle and Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke appeared to have the support needed to secure their promotions.
The final spot in cabinet was still a source of contention on Monday, with Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson and Box Hill MP Paul Hamer the two most likely candidates.
Hamer has emerged as the frontrunner for the cabinet spot; however, MPs were expecting a flurry of calls over the next 24 hours as their colleagues sought support in the party room.
Allan said the three retiring ministers had left an “indelible mark” on the state.
“I am grateful for all they’ve done and everything they’ve achieved and for that, I say thank you to each of them,” she said.
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Daniella White is a state political reporter for The Age. Contact her at da.white@nine.com.auConnect via X or email.From our partners