The Honourable
James Merlino
MP
Merlino with Jackson Taylor MP, 2021.
28th Deputy Premier of Victoria
In office
4 December 2014 – 27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byPeter Ryan
Succeeded byJacinta Allan
Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria
In office
2 February 2012 – 25 June 2022
LeaderDaniel Andrews
Preceded byRob Hulls
Succeeded byJacinta Allan
Cabinet Positions
Minister for Education
In office
4 December 2014 – 27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byMartin Dixon
Succeeded byNatalie Hutchins
Minister for Mental Health
In office
29 September 2020 – 27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byMartin Foley
Succeeded byGabrielle Williams
Minister for Emergency Services
In office
10 June 2016 – 29 November 2018
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byJane Garrett
Succeeded byLisa Neville
Minister for Police
In office
11 October 2010 – 2 December 2010
PremierJohn Brumby
Preceded byBob Cameron
Succeeded byPeter Ryan
Minister for Corrections
In office
11 October 2010 – 2 December 2010
PremierJohn Brumby
Preceded byBob Cameron
Succeeded byAndrew McIntosh
Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs
In office
1 December 2006 – 2 December 2010
PremierSteve Bracks
John Brumby
Preceded byJustin Madden
Succeeded byHugh Delahunty
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Monbulk
In office
30 November 2002 – 26 November 2022
Preceded bySteve McArthur
Succeeded byDaniela De Martino
Post Politics
Chairman of The Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Assumed office
July 5, 2023
DeputyChristine Wyatt
Preceded byOffice Created
Chair and Director of Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Limited
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Director of Hawthorn Football Club Limited
Assumed office
December 2022
Personal details
Born
James Anthony Merlino

(1972-08-17) 17 August 1972
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Political partyLabor
Spouse
Meagan Merlino
​
(m. 2000)​
Children3
EducationSt Edmund's School
Mount Lilydale Mercy College
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
Occupation
  • Union official
  • Labourer
  • Politician

James Anthony Merlino (born 19 August 1972) is a former Australian politician who served as 28th deputy premier of Victoria from 2014 to 2022 under Premier Daniel Andrews. He was the deputy leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 2012 to 2022 and a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the division of Monbulk from 2002 until his retirement.

Political career

Merlino was elected at the 2002 state election defeating Steve McArthur. Merlino comfortably retained his seat at the state election in 2006 and became the Minister for Sport and Recreation and Youth Affairs, securing a place in cabinet. Under new Premier John Brumby's government he retained that ministry and gained a new role as Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs.[1] He subsequently became Police Minister following the resignation of the previous Minister.

When the ALP lost government in the 2010 state election, Merlino became Shadow Minister for Police, the TAC and Road Safety. In February 2012, he was elected unopposed as Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria, following the resignation of Rob Hulls, becoming deputy leader of the opposition[2]

With the election of the Andrews Labor Government in late 2014, Merlino became Deputy Premier and Education Minister.[3] On 10 June 2016, Merlino also became Minister for Emergency Services following the resignation of Brunswick MP Jane Garrett from the Andrews Ministry.[4]

In March 2021, Merlino became the Acting Premier of Victoria, after Daniel Andrews fell down a flight of stairs while holidaying on the Mornington Peninsula, suffering several broken ribs and a broken vertebra from the fall. Merlino was Acting Premier until Andrews returned to work on June 28.[5][6]

In June 2022, Merlino announced his retirement from politics and did not contest the November state election.[7] He stepped down from his ministerial roles on 27 June.

Merlino was a member of Labor's right faction.[8] He is a Catholic.[9]

Football

In December of 2022 he was part of the successful Andrew Gowers ticket in the Hawthorn board election.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "John Brumby's new Cabinet". Herald Sun. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  2. ↑ "Merlino becomes deputy leader of Vic ALP". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  3. ↑ Parliament of Victoria - Members and Ministers February 25, 2016 Retrieved 25 May 2016
  4. ↑ "James Merlino to replace Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett, as government threatens to sack CFA board". Ninemsn. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in intensive care with damage to his vertebrae and ribs". ABC News. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  6. ↑ Taylor, Josh. "Daniel Andrews in intensive care with broken ribs and damaged vertebrae after fall on 'slippery stairs'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Victorian ministers confirm resignations from Andrews government ahead of November election". ABC News. 24 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "Daniel Andrews under internal pressure to get back to basics". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  9. ↑ "Emotional pleas and shocking stories as Victorian MPs debate a matter of life and death". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  10. ↑ https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/1257898/election-results-announced
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