Regional Victoria’s voice in Parliament will be stronger after 11 members for The Nationals were sworn in at Parliament House today.
The Nationals now represent the electorates of Mildura, Morwell and Shepparton along with Murray Plains, Ovens Valley, Gippsland South, Lowan, Euroa and Gippsland East in the lower house and the Eastern Victoria and Northern Victoria regions in the upper house.
Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, said Victorians chose a party that would not just better represent their communities in this Parliament but which would help end the reign of the Labor Party at the next election.
“We had a very successful 2022 election and congratulations must go to our new MPs, they are outstanding representatives for their respective electorates and will be strong voices in Parliament,” Mr Walsh said.
“Better still, we now have a party with the perfect blend of experience, expertise and enthusiasm, which I think will make its presence increasingly felt in every aspect of achieving even more for regional Victorians.”
The Nationals who are part of the new-look Shadow Cabinet announced at the weekend are:
- Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, as Deputy Leader of the Coalition and taking on the portfolio of Regional Development as well as Local Government and Aboriginal Affairs.
- Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, The Nationals’ Deputy Leader, will be responsible for Agriculture and Mental Health.
- Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, will continue his work in the portfolios of Veterans and Racing as well as Disability and Aged Care.
- Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has gained the portfolios of Water and Consumer Affairs.
- Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, continues his work in the portfolios of Roads as well as Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.
“Each will have an important role as well as representing their respective communities around regional Victoria,” Mr Walsh said.
“Because, firstly and most importantly, it’s about how well you represent your community in Parliament.
“The portfolios the five Nationals have in Shadow Cabinet are outstanding opportunities for them to represent regional Victoria around the Shadow Cabinet table, in the Parliament and in the next government.”
Victorian Nationals Shadow Cabinet (December 2022)
Peter Walsh MP
Deputy Leader of the Coalition
Leader of The Nationals
Shadow Minister for Regional Development
Shadow Minister for Local Government
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Emma Kealy MP
Deputy Leader of The Nationals
Shadow Minister for Agriculture
Shadow Minister for Mental Health
Tim Bull MP
Shadow Minister for Disability and Aged Care
Shadow Minister for Racing
Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs
Tim McCurdy MP
Shadow Minister for Water
Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs
Danny O’Brien MP
Shadow Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation
Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Victorian Nationals Shadow Assistant Ministry
Melina Bath MP
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Volunteers
Annabelle Cleeland MP
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health
Martin Cameron MP
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Energy, Renewables and the SEC
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business