James Merlino
James Anthony Merlino (born 19 August 1972) is an Australian politician serving as the member for Monbulk in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, as a member of the Labor Party. He has also been Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Education since December 2014.
James Merlino | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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_2.jpg.webp) Merlino with Jackson Taylor MP, 2021. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28th Deputy Premier of Victoria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 4 December 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premier | Daniel Andrews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Peter Ryan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 2 February 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader | Daniel Andrews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Rob Hulls | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Monbulk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 30 November 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Steve McArthur | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | James Anthony Merlino 17 August 1972 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Australian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Labor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Meagan Merlino | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | St Edmund's School Mount Lilydale Mercy College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
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| Website | www | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 in 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]
Merlino is a member of Labor's right faction.[7] He is a Catholic.[8]
References
- "John Brumby's new Cabinet". Herald Sun. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
- "Merlino becomes deputy leader of Vic ALP". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- Parliament of Victoria - Members and Ministers February 25, 2016 Retrieved 25 May 2016
- "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.
- "Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in intensive care with damage to his vertebrae and ribs". ABC News. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- Taylor, Josh. "Daniel Andrews in intensive care with broken ribs and damaged vertebrae after fall on 'slippery stairs'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- "Daniel Andrews under internal pressure to get back to basics". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- "Emotional pleas and shocking stories as Victorian MPs debate a matter of life and death". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 September 2020.