AdvertisementDeputy Premier Gabrielle Williams will be tasked with striking a pay deal with the state’s teachers and Colin Brooks will control Victoria’s finances as part of Labor’s new-look cabinet.Unveiling the changes at Government House on Tuesday, Premier Ben Carroll said the revamped cabinet, which was reduced from 22 positions to 20, was taking the party “in a new direction” and would deliver for Victorians.New Premier Ben Carroll and Deputy Premier Gabrielle Williams in question time on Wednesday.Justin McManusCarroll departed from his predecessors in removing portfolios specifically dedicated to infrastructure projects, and also scrapped the portfolio of men and boys, which his predecessor, Jacinta Allan, created in April.Anthony Carbines will move from his position as police minister to take over a new portfolio for artificial intelligence and the digital economy. Carroll said the AI minister would look to capitalise on the opportunities the technology offers, as well as set up guardrails and regulations.AdvertisementCarbines will also take over major events, medical research, trade and investment and economic development, and keep the portfolio of racing.Paul Edbrooke, who was sworn into cabinet in April, will take over police alongside emergency services, multicultural affairs and crime prevention.As deputy premier, Williams was able to nominate for her own portfolio and will step into Carroll’s previous role as education minister, while also taking up skills and training, First Peoples, women and gender equality.Labor has not made a new offer to government educators since the Australian Education Union (AEU) narrowly rejected the government’s offer in July. Pay negotiations between the union and government have since stalled, and principals, teachers and support staff from public schools are preparing to strike again on August 19.AdvertisementWilliams said her number one priority would be striking a deal with the AEU.“We will continue to work with our educators and, of course, with their union representatives to make sure that we respect the work of our incredible educators and education support staff, and deliver for them the wages and conditions that they deserve,” she said on Tuesday.Brooks takes the portfolios of treasurer and industrial relations minister from Jaclyn Symes, who will move to energy, environment and the State Electricity Commission, taking over from outgoing MP Lily D’Ambrosio.Having previously served as minister for skills and TAFE, and minister for the defence industry, Brooks will be tasked with reining in government spending and convincing voters that Labor can manage the economy before the election on November 28.He said rebuilding the government’s relationship with business and “respecting every taxpayer dollar” would be among his priorities. Relations with business deteriorated under Allan’s leadership as employers became frustrated with their share of the state’s tax burden, ballooning state debt and the lack of consultation on Labor’s work-from-home policy.AdvertisementMinister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has taken over the health portfolio from Harriet Shing, an Allan loyalist who last week announced her resignation from cabinet and plans to retire at the November election.Under Carroll’s leadership, there is no transport infrastructure portfolio or a specific portfolio for the Suburban Rail Loop – two key responsibilities under the leadership of both Daniel Andrews and Allan.Vicki Ward will oversee public transport, while Paul Hamer will oversee roads. With Carroll ditching the transport infrastructure portfolio, Ward and Hamer will be responsible for public transport infrastructure and roads infrastructure respectively. The Suburban Rail Loop portfolio was also cut.Asked if dumping the SRL portfolio was a sign Labor may scale back the project, Carroll, who has been non-committal on the project’s future, said: “We’re going to do things better, more efficiently, and more effectively.”AdvertisementSonya Kilkenny, who stood against Carroll for the party’s leadership position at Labor’s cabinet meeting last week, threatening to force a six-week internal campaign, lost her portfolio of finance in the reshuffle, but will remain attorney-general and planning minister.Kilkenny withdrew her candidacy last week after guaranteeing she would keep at least two portfolios, and that her Left factional ally Tim Richardson would join cabinet.Richardson has been appointed to the portfolios of local government, consumer affairs and renters, while Gaming Minister Enver Erdogan will take on the finance portfolio.Carroll’s decision to cut the total number of ministers from 22 to 20 is an attempt to show taxpayers he values their money. It marks the second reshuffle since April, when three ministers – Mary Anne-Thomas, Danny Pearson and Gayle Tierney – all resigned ahead of their retirements from parliament at the November election.AdvertisementThe April reshuffle allowed Edbrooke, Michaela Settle, Luba Grigorovitch and Paul Hamer to join cabinet.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.SaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.ShareLicense this articleMore:Victorian ParliamentALPBen CarrollVictorian electionAngus Delaney is a reporter at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.Kieran Rooney is a Victorian state political reporter at The Age.Connect via email.AdvertisementAdvertisement