Mary-Anne Thomas (born 26 February 1963[citation needed]) is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since November 2014, representing the electorate of Macedon.[1] She has served as Victoria's Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services since June 2022. She was previously the Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development from December 2020.[2]

Mary-Anne Thomas
Leader of the House
Assumed office
5 December 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byLizzie Blandthorn
Minister for Health Infrastructure
Assumed office
5 December 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Jacinta Allan
Preceded byPosition created
Minister for Health
Assumed office
27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Jacinta Allan
Preceded byMartin Foley
Minister for Ambulance Services
Assumed office
2 October 2023
PremierJacinta Allan
Preceded byGabrielle Williams
In office
27 June 2022 – 5 December 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byMartin Foley
Succeeded byGabrielle Williams
Minister for Regional Development
In office
22 December 2020 – 27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byJaclyn Symes
Succeeded byHarriet Shing
Minister for Agriculture
In office
22 December 2020 – 27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byJaclyn Symes
Succeeded byGayle Tierney
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Macedon
Assumed office
29 November 2014
Preceded byJoanne Duncan
Personal details
Born (1963-02-26) 26 February 1963 (age 61)
Political partyLabor Party
Websitewww.mary-annethomas.com.au

Education and early career

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Thomas studied at Wodonga High School, and completed a teaching degree at the Melbourne College of Advanced Education. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations from Victoria University and a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Melbourne.

She worked for 25 years across public, private and community sectors. She began her career as a secondary teacher, then worked in the union movement before becoming an advisor to Lynne Kosky, the Minister for Post-Compulsory Education, Employment and Training. She has also held roles in the Victorian public service in Education, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she was Head of Communications.

Prior to entering Parliament, she held senior roles at the National Australia Bank and Plan International, one of the world's leading child rights and international development agencies.

Political career

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Thomas was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the Member for Macedon in November 2014. She had previously contested Labor pre-selection for the Federal seat of Batman, but lost to then Senator David Feeney.[3]

She was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development in the Andrews Labor Government in December 2020,[4][2] having previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Health & Carers. In June 2022, she was appointed as Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Macedon Results". ABC News. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Mary-Anne Thomas". mary-annethomas.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Women challenge powerbroker David Feeney for prize Victorian seat of Batman". The Australian. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  4. ^ Willingham, Richard (22 December 2020). "Jaclyn Symes sworn in to replace Jill Hennessy as Victorian Attorney-General". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Statement On New Ministry". Premier of Victoria. 25 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022.
Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Macedon
2014–present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Regional Development
2020–2022
Succeeded by
Minister for Agriculture
2020–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Health
2022–present
Incumbent
Minister for Health
Minister for Ambulance Services

2022–present