3 Ministers Resign From Victorian Labor Cabinet Months out From Election

Three senior Labor ministers have resigned from the Allan Labor cabinet ahead of the November 2026 state election.

Mary-Anne Thomas, Danny Pearson, and Gayle Tierney, all senior figures in the Victorian Labor Party, also confirmed they would not contest that election.

Allan thanked her long-term colleagues for their years of work.

“They have each left an indelible mark on this state, our government and the great Labor movement. I am grateful for all they’ve done and everything they’ve achieved and for that I say thank you to each of them,” the premier said.

Health Minister Thomas took on the health portfolio at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic under then-Premier Daniel Andrews.

“When Dan Andrews asked me to take on the health portfolio our health system was experiencing unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID pandemic. I knew it would be hard. What I didn’t fully appreciate was how incredibly rewarding it would be,” she said.

Finance Minister Pearson, a senior figure in Victorian Labor’s right faction, has been the state MP for Essendon since 2014.

“In public life, there are only two questions that matter. What do we have to do to win? What do we have to govern well? I am incredibly grateful and fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in the service of answering those two questions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tierney from the socialist left faction will step down from her portfolios that cover water, skills, higher education, and agriculture.

She said she was proud of helping make free TAFE permanent.

“In the last parliamentary sitting week, we embedded Free TAFE into law and have ensured funding of public provision and access to training is protected for generations to come. This cannot be undone with the flick of a pen,” she said in a statement.

Allan to Finalise Reshuffle on April 14

The departures clear the deck for Premier Allan to conduct a high-stakes cabinet reshuffle to refresh the Labor Party for the upcoming election, which also faces a strong challenge from the conservative-leaning One Nation.

Allan herself has faced growing leadership speculation in recent weeks, which she dismissed as “anonymous gossip.”

The Parliamentary Labor Party will meet for a caucus meeting on April 14 to finalise the new cabinet

“In uncertain times, Victorians can look to Labor for the things that matter: cost of living, health, education, safety and jobs,” Allan said.

One Nation Leading the Polls

Meanwhile, One Nation’s popularity in the state has surged with a Sky News Pulse poll conducted by YouGov showing the party winning 26 percent of the primary vote compared to 25 for Labor and 21 for the state opposition, the Coalition.

“Victoria is shifting and the message is clear. One Nation is leading the polls, overtaking the major parties and proving that Victorians are ready for real change,” One Nation Victoria said on April 9.

“Momentum is building, and this is only the beginning.