General News
24 October, 2025
Portfolios lost in cabinet reshuffle
A RESHUFFLE of the Shadow Cabinet has seen a south west MP lose her portfolios.
The Victorian Coalition recently announced a new-look frontbench following polling which showed support for the Coalition had continued to fall under the leadership of Brad Battin.
South West Coast MP Roma Britnell was omitted from the new-look shadow cabinet, losing both the Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight and Shadow Minister for Child Protection portfolios.
‘‘It is not what I would have chosen, and I am very disappointed, but Brad as the leader of the party has the right to choose who he wants in the shadow cabinet,’” Ms Britnell said.
“My years as Shadow Minister across key portfolios including ports and freight, child protection, consumer affairs, and fishing and boating, have provided me with invaluable experience and insights that continue to strengthen my representation of South West Coast in Spring Street.
“Brad wants to bring into shadow cabinet some of the newer members to get the experience they need to be ready to govern next year.
“As a team, we recognise the challenges ahead – and meeting them will require experience, readiness, and resilience.
“This is about building capability across the board, ensuring that when the time comes, every member is ready to lead with confidence and competence.”
Polwarth MP Richard Riordan retained the Shadow Minister for Planning and Housing while also adding Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport, Events and Hospitality.
Members for Western Victoria Bev McArthur and Joe McCracken retained their spots, with Mrs McArthur named Shadow Minister for Local Government and Shadow Minister for Government Waste, and Mr McCracken retaining his role as Shadow Cabinet Secretary.
Ms Britnell said she believed the reshuffle of the frontbench highlighted the Coalition would be ready to govern if elected in 2026, saying everyone has a role to play and her own experience would help to contribute to the team’s success.
“We are a unified team, a small but very hard-working team,” she said.
In a statement from leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin, and Coalition deputy leader Danny O’Brien, the duo vowed the new-look shadow cabinet boasted both the talent and experience to hold the state government to account and advocate for a plan centred around less waste, lower taxes and less crime.
“The Liberals and Nationals are a team that brings together people from different walks of life to represent all Victorians,” they said.
“Our diversity is our greatest strength.
“We all share the same ambition, and that’s to improve the lives of every Victorian. In this team, everyone will contribute and we are all committed to working every day to earn the trust and respect of all Victorians.
“Together, we will work to make Victoria safer, to ease the cost of living, to deliver the services that families rely on and to restore economic discipline.
“At the next election, Victorians will have a choice between four more years of Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government or a fresh start with the team we lead.”
