Jess Wilson appoints herself shadow treasurer, dumps Riordan and promotes key backer

Jess Wilson will take control of the Victorian opposition’s economic agenda, appointing herself shadow treasurer and dumping veteran MP Richard Riordan from shadow cabinet in the Coalition’s latest reshuffle.

Former opposition leader John Pesutto was again overlooked for the shadow ministry, while the new leader’s key backers were rewarded, including Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell, who picked up the education and industrial relations portfolios, which he will hold alongside government services.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson with her leadership team (from left), Bev McArthur, Sam Groth and Evan Mulholland.Credit: Jason South

While uncommon in Victoria in recent years, Wilson joins a long line of state party leaders who have combined leadership and treasury duties.

Former West Australian premier Mark McGowan, former Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein and former ACT chief minister Andrew Barr held both roles simultaneously while in office. In Victoria, John Cain Jr and Joan Kirner served as party leader and treasurer in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively.

The opposition’s frontbench was only reshuffled seven weeks ago by then-leader Brad Battin, who dumped Brighton MP James Newbury from his prized treasury portfolio to make way for Wilson. The move was widely cited among Liberals as the tipping point for Battin’s leadership already fraying under internal division, which paved the way for Wilson’s ascension this month.

Newbury will remain shadow attorney-general and has also picked up the anti-corruption portfolio.

James Newbury was in October dumped from the treasury portfolio to make way for Wilson.Credit: Wayne Taylor

Upper house MP Bev McArthur, who was instrumental in securing Wilson’s leadership two weeks ago, will now hold two shadow portfolios – local government and small business – as well as leading the opposition in the upper house.

Wilson’s new line-up, which was released on the same day as the opening of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel, excludes Riordan, who previously held the high-profile portfolios of tourism and housing. He was considered one of the opposition’s stronger policy performers.

Dumped: Richard Riordan is a supporter of former leader Brad Battin.Credit: Chris Hopkins

Riordan was also prominent supporter of Battin, who returned as shadow minister for police and corrections.

Pesutto has again been overlooked amid an ongoing legal fight following the party’s decision to loan the former leader money to cover his legal expenses in his defamation battle against MP Moira Deeming.

The loan – provided to prevent Pesutto from facing bankruptcy, which could have forced him from parliament and triggered a close contest for his seat of Hawthorn – has caused significant tension among Liberals and prompted scrutiny over the party’s governance.

His case will return to court in March.

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