New Victoria Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Michaela Settle.

VICTORIAN farmers have welcomed the state’s new Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, western Victorian sheep producer Michaela Settle.

Ms Settle is the member for the seat of Eureka and has served as the parliamentary secretary for the regional development and agriculture portfolios from 2022-2024.

Her appointment to the joint portfolio was announced today as part of a cabinet reshuffle by Premier Jacinta Allan after Water Minister Gayle Tierney, Finance Minister Danny Pearson and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced they would not contest the November election.

Ms Allan said the new Labor team had new energy and new solutions.

“This is the strong, united team focused on delivering for Victorian families – and ready for the work ahead.”

Ms Settle’s party website says she has owned and operated her family’s sheep farm in Ararat for more than a decade and, after reskilling at TAFE, worked at Ballarat Community Health, before being first elected as the elected as the State Member for Buninyong In November 2018.

The Victorian Farmers Federation said it welcomed the appointment of the new Victorian Government ministers, in particular Michaela Settle as Victoria’s new Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development and Harriet Shing as Minister for Water, and looked forward to working constructively with the ministers to support Victoria’s agriculture sector.

VFF president Brett Hosking said the VFF is eager to hit the ground running and work with the new ministers.

“Our agriculture sector is one of the cornerstones of the Victorian economy and the lifeblood our of regional communities.

“We welcome Minister Michaela Settle and Minister Harriet Shing into their portfolios and look forward to engaging closely on the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

The VFF thanked outgoing Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Minister for Water Gayle Tierney for their service and commitment to the sector.

“Minister Spence and Minister Tierney have always been accessible to discuss the VFF’s priorities.

“They have worked to navigate a range of complex issues that have been important for Victorian farmers and regional communities and I wish them all the best,” Mr Hosking said.

The VFF leader said 2026 is set be a future-shaping year. He said November’s election is just around the corner.

“We’ll waste no time getting to work with Minister Settle and Minister Shing and the full new ministerial lineup on behalf our Victorian farmers.”

“Farmers are facing ongoing pressures at almost every turn. We need strong leadership and a future-focussed view and plan to ensure our industry can continue to grow and prosper.

“Our message to all sides of government is simple. Farmers and our regions matter and we look forward to working together to deliver real outcomes for our sector,” Mr Hosking said.

The Labor Cabinet members and their portfolios include:

Harriet Shing, new Minister for Health, Ambulance Services and Water.

Ingrid Stitt, new Special Minister for State, Minister for Government Services and Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria.

Paul Edbrooke, new Minister for Cost of Living, the first Minister for Renters, new Minister for Men and Boys and the Minister for Consumer Affairs.

Steve Dimopoulos,  Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs and Minister for Sport and Major Events.

Natalie Suleyman, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Veterans and Minister for Small and Family Business and Employment.

Ben Carroll, will add Medical Research to his responsibilities and Anthony Carbines will become the new Leader of the House.

Jaclyn Symes, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts, Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations and the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Nick Staikos, Minister for Housing and Building and the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop.

Enver Erdogan, Minister for Environment and Minister for Outdoor Recreation and Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.

Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Violence Reduction and Minister for Finance, Attorney-General and Minister for Planning.

Paul Hamer, Minister for Youth Justice and Minister for Corrections, Minister for Local Government.

Ros Spence, Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Minister for Community Sport and Minister for First Peoples.

Melissa Horne will add the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence to her responsibilities.

Luba Grigorovitch, Minister for Youth and Minister for Carers and Volunteers.

Tim Richardson will be the new Cabinet Secretary.