SPRING ST, VIC. — Kilmore-based MP Jaclyn Symes lost the third-most senior position in Victorian politics at the hands of her own Labor Party.
Ms Symes, who lives at Broadford and was closely aligned with former Premier Jacinta Allan, has been removed from the Treasurer’s position by Premier Ben Carroll.
The new portfolio assigned to Ms Symes is the Minister for Energy and Resources, which was vacated by Lily D’Ambrosio, who indicated she will not contest her Mill Park seat at the November state election.
Ms Symes will also handle the ancillary ministries of the State Electricity Commission, Climate Action, and Environment and will remain the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
Ms Symes, 38, completed Year 12 at Benalla before moving to Melbourne in 1997 to undertake a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University. She was admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer in 2006. During her early career, Ms Symes worked as a carer for people with intellectual disabilities.
Following her time as a carer, Ms Symes was drawn to the union movement, taking up a role with the Australian Services Union as an Industrial Officer before becoming an advisor to the former Bracks/Brumby Labor Government, working for then Deputy Premier and Attorney General Rob Hulls.
Ms Symes became Senior Legal and Justice Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Andrews.
At the November 2014 election, she was elected to Parliament as a Member for Northern Victoria.
After her re-election in the 2018 Victorian State Election, Ms Symes was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources and Deputy Leader of the Legislative Council.
In 2019, Ms Symes became the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
Until 2024, she was the Attorney General and Minister for Emergency Services before a change in portfolios led her to become the Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Regional Development.
