Politics & Council
30 July, 2026
Two ministers quit with local unfinished business
HEALTH and Ambulance Serrvices Minister Harriet Shing and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio have today quit State Cabinet and will not contest November's state election.
Their departure was announced this afternoon by new Premier Ben Carroll who deposed Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan on Tuesday.
Ms Shing's replacement will be the third person to hold the portfolio this year and comes as the Wedderburn community continues to question who decided to walk away from the town's promised new ambulance station.
Wederburn Development Association only last month asked Ms Shing to "take another look" at the decision. Her office had promised the association would receive a reply to its letter.
Ms Shing had been expected to visit Inglewood to open the upgraded urgent and acuta care wards but instead that was performed by Ripon MP Martha Haylett.
Ms D'Ambrosio has been the State Government's key driver of controversial renewable energy projects including VNI West.
"I have had the privilege to help deliver the first of many policy reforms to navigate the profound transformation of our energy system, with people always at the heart of change. We’ve implemented nation-leading energy consumer protections, grown clean renewable energy, and reduced our greenhouse gas emissions all whilst saving Victorians on their energy bills and securing our energy future," she said today.
"I was also proud to be part of a government that took the most significant step any state has ever taken towards justice, truth and reconciliation by becoming the first to legislate a Treaty with First Peoples."
Questions on the future of Ms Allan remain. In her resignation speech she hinted there may be a departure from State Parliament after 27 years saying "whatever I do next". However, she has not responded to questions from the Loddon Herald.
Ms Shing and Ms D'Ambrosio were backers of Ms Allan.
It has been speculated Ms Allan could announce her retirement as early as Friday.